Premier League football clubs are bracing for a significant financial blow as new analysis reveals they will be hit with substantial tax increases on their stadiums next year. The rises follow the government's recent budget, which confirmed that business rates for commercial properties will be calculated using new 2024 valuations.
Stadium Valuations Skyrocket Across the League
According to data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), analysed by global tax firm Ryan, the total rateable value of stadiums across England's top five divisions has surged by 25 per cent to £111.74 million. This sharp increase will form the basis for new business rates payments from April, with most clubs facing higher bills immediately and further increases in subsequent years as transitional relief measures are phased out.
Arsenal is set to endure the largest cash increase of any Premier League club. Their annual rates bill for the Emirates Stadium is projected to climb by £1.1 million to £4.8 million, following a valuation rise to £11 million. Meanwhile, Manchester United will see the bill for Old Trafford jump by £973,840 to £5.79 million.
Top Bills and Sharpest Rises Revealed
Despite a relatively modest increase of £96,200, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will carry the heftiest annual bill in the top flight at £5.8 million, also holding the title of the league's most valuable ground at £11.2 million. At the other end of the scale, AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium is the least valuable, rated at just £510,000.
Some clubs outside the traditional 'Big Six' have experienced the most dramatic valuation spikes. Brentford's GTech Stadium saw its rateable value leap by 300 per cent, while Nottingham Forest's City Ground recorded a 153.4 per cent rise. In a remarkable case, Wrexham's Racecourse Ground valuation soared by 612.4 per cent, the largest increase in England and Wales.
Why Have the Bills Jumped So Dramatically?
Alex Probyn, practice leader for Europe and Asia-Pacific property tax at Ryan, explained the methodology behind the steep climbs. "Football stadiums are valued using the receipts and expenditure method, which is driven entirely by income and operating performance," he said.
"The last revaluation was based on April 1 2021, when grounds were still shut with full-capacity crowds not returning until July 2021. The new list reflects the position on April 1 2024, with stadiums fully open and commercial revenues significantly higher, so the increases we are seeing are exactly what the methodology produces."
The analysis also highlighted that Wembley Stadium, England's national arena, is only the fourth most valuable in the country at £9.1 million. Furthermore, Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough saw its valuation rise 21.8 per cent despite the club being in administration. Within the Premier League, only Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley saw their stadium valuations decrease, falling by 32.8 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively.
