(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Stefan Borson: This is how much extra Rangers could earn after Ibrox expansion update

James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Rangers’ owners are looking at ways to expand Ibrox in a bid to boost the club’s revenue. 

The US consortium, which is led by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprisescompleted its takeover of Rangers in May. 

Speaking at the club’s General Meeting in June, vice-chairman Paraag Marathe revealed Rangers will explore plans for a stadium expansion

Rangers’ Fan Advisory Board (FAB) provided an update on the situation following a meeting with Cavenagh, chief executive Patrick Stewart, sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief communications director Greig Mailer last month. 

The FAB revealed the club’s preferred option for a stadium expansion would be to lower the level of the pitch and add a further 4,000 seats at Ibrox. 

Rangers could get extra £4m after Ibrox plans revealed

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Rangers could earn an extra £4million if they push ahead with the expansion. 

Ibrox, which has been the Glasgow giants' home since 1887, currently holds 51,700 fans. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “Well, 4,000 is probably another 10 per cent, so it's worth about £4m a year. 

“Then the equation is, well, what's the build cost for those seats? But it's worth probably right now £4-5m a year, I would think, 4,000 seats with some hospitality with it. Their total gate receipts and hospitality for 2024 was £44m. It was £40m for 2023. 

“I mean, Rangers have actually got quite high gate receipts compared to even a lot of Premier League clubs, just because of the size of the stadium and the club. It's not crazy, but another £4m a year on revenue is good. 

“Obviously, it's a pretty high margin because if it's not hospitality stuff, then you've already got all of the other costs that are already being spent on those parts of the stadium.” 

Rangers home ground - Ibrox
Rangers are considering plans to expand Ibrox (Credit: Getty Images)

An extra 4,000 seats would take Ibrox’s capacity beyond 55,000 and closer to Celtic Park’s 60,411.

Rangers landed £44m windfall

Rangers were heavily criticised after facing delays around the development of the Copland Stand at Ibrox last year, an issue the new owners will be looking to avoid. 

The Glasgow club were forced to play at Hampden Park in the opening weeks of the campaign due to the construction problems. 

Rangers posted a record-breaking revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover increased from £83.8m in 2022-23 to £88.3m. 

Meanwhile, the club’s matchday income rose from £39.9m to £43.8m across the same period. 

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