England’s disappointing performance in the Six Nations has led the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to project a £10m loss for the financial year ending June 2026. Under Steve Borthwick, England managed only one win, finishing fifth in the tournament, which the RFU has labeled as a “hugely disappointing” outcome.

Key factors contributing to this financial downturn include:

• England’s finish of second bottom in the standings, down from second place the previous year.
• An expected underlying loss of £4m, contrasting sharply with an underlying profit of £8m last year.

RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney emphasized that despite significant challenges, the union has continued to align with its strategic plans. He noted that the financial outcome could have been worse without an additional autumn fixture against Australia last November.

Despite the struggles, the RFU highlights a 50% increase in sponsorship revenue since 2024, with plans to unveil a new sponsorship deal that aims to make England’s jerseys the highest revenue-generating in world rugby, surpassing France and New Zealand.

The RFU is also addressing its reliance on men’s matches at Twickenham, which account for about 85% of its revenues. As part of its financial strategy, the RFU has applied to Richmond council to increase the number of concerts held at Twickenham, aiming for eight events by 2029, up from the current limit of three.

Looking forward, the RFU anticipates a more prosperous financial year in 2027, though the subsequent year, coinciding with the 2027 World Cup, is expected to bring significant costs and challenges.