BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Castleford Tigers recorded a loss of almost £1.9 million in 2025, according to the club’s financial accounts.
The accounts of Castleford Rugby League Club Limited can be viewed on Companies House.
They show that last year the club posted a loss after tax of approximately £1.886 million, despite turnover increasing from £2.274 million to around £4.2 million.
The accounts revealed net current liabilities of £715,277, with the club’s auditors warning of material uncertainty over its ability to continue operating without ongoing financial support. Castleford’s balance sheet showed net assets of approximately £3.49 million at the end of 2025.
Last year Martin Jepson became the majority owner of the Tigers in April.
“The 2025 Super League season proved challenging for Castleford Tigers, with the club finishing 11th in the competition,” the report states.
“Results fell below the ambitions established for the playing group and reinforced the need for further change and investment within the rugby operation.
“The season began under Head Coach Danny McGuire before a change in leadership during July, with Director of Rugby Chris Chester assuming responsibility on an interim basis for the remainder of the campaign. Castleford recorded six league victories and average home attendance was approximately 6,844.”
On the financial figures, the report states: “These figures represent a significant loss and are not a sustainable long-term position. They should, however, be considered within the context of a club beginning to address years of underinvestment and structural weakness.
“New ownership and leadership recognised that maintaining the historic operating model would not provide a route to sustainable growth. Investment and organisational change were required across people, facilities, infrastructure, rugby operations and commercial capability.
“FY2025 therefore carried significant short-term financial pressure while the club began creating the assets, systems and capability intended to support stronger future revenues and a more sustainable operating model.
The report covers the loss of Castleford’s grade A status under the IMG system, with the club dropping down to a B in 2025, and the rebuilding work that has gone on at the club.
“Alongside the visible changes to ownership and infrastructure, significant work began behind the scenes to establish a more professional organisational model,” it states.
“The 2025-2028 strategy identified years of neglect, outdated facilities, limited revenue streams and insufficient investment as weaknesses, while recognising opportunities through new ownership, stronger staffing, regeneration funding, commercial partnerships and digital engagement.
“The strategy established priorities across first-team performance, academy and scholarship development, women’s rugby, community engagement, facilities, revenue growth, supporter experience, communications, financial investment and organisational standards.
“Central to this was the recognition that sustainable improvement required better people, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability throughout the organisation.
“The intention was not simply to improve individual departments, but to establish a single Castleford Tigers identity and operating philosophy across the club.”
