Athletic budget €40m less for this season after missing Europe | OneFootball

Athletic will present record revenues of €193m at the 28 October AGM, yet have budgeted €152.5m for this season, €40m down without Europe. According to El Correo, the club also posted a €20.6m net profit for 2025-26, more than double board forecasts.

The income figure excludes player sales. For context, 2018-19 brought in €216.1m, with €80m from Kepa Arrizabalaga’s clause after his move to Chelsea.

President Jon Uriarte has argued the club is not in a war economy, while noting losses in five of the last six seasons when the men’s team missed Europe. With current costs, missing Europe leads to losses, and this season is forecast to deliver a negative operating result, EBITDA, of €3.2m. He still aims to balance the books even without Europe.

Continental competition remains decisive. Competitions delivered €59.7m last season, with the Champions League the main driver, while broadcasting income hit a record €81.8m. Europe is the second-biggest pillar after TV money.

The first-team wage bill was €92.9m, 48.2% of spending, the lowest share under Uriarte after ratios of 74.1%, 70.9% and 58.4%. In absolute terms it peaked at €100.8m in 2024-25. For this season it is budgeted at €95.9m, up 3.17%, with travel costs trimmed from €4.6m to €3.5m.

Cash rose by €4.8m to €65m, there is no debt and liquidity stands at €94m. A return to Europe remains central to safeguarding finances.

Source: El Correo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”