Cardiff City’s latest filed accounts report £29.190 million in player-related wages for the year ended 31 May 2025. That is a historical group-accounts figure, not the club’s current-season payroll. For 2026–27, salary database Capology estimates Calum Chambers is Cardiff’s highest-paid player, on £45,000 a week before bonuses; the club has not confirmed his salary.
What is Cardiff City’s annual wage bill?
The latest disclosed annual figure is £29.190 million in player-related wages for Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Limited, for the financial year ended 31 May 2025. Cover Wales reported the amount from note 9 of the group’s filed accounts, which it said were filed at Companies House on 26 February 2026. Cover Wales’ account of the figures
This is the most recent annual player-wage figure in the sources cited here. It covers a completed financial year and does not disclose the current squad’s live payroll or individual salaries.
Who is Cardiff City’s highest-paid player?
Capology’s 2026–27 salary estimate names Calum Chambers as the club’s highest-paid player, at an estimated £45,000 a week, or £2.34 million a year in gross fixed salary. The estimate excludes bonuses and other compensation. Cardiff City’s accounts do not confirm the figure, so it should be treated as a third-party estimate rather than an official contract disclosure. Capology’s Cardiff City salary estimates
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Short-sleeve, crew neck jersey made from moisture-wicking, odor-fighting fabric that keeps you cool and comfortable from morning to night.
- A versatile casual performance jersey with contrast color blocking on the neck and sleeves, designed for everyday wear, available in Adult and Youth sizes.
- Printed in the USA using durable Direct-to-Film printing technology for vibrant, long-lasting results.
How the figures compare—and why they differ
| Figure | Period and scope | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| £29.190 million | Year ended 31 May 2025; player-related wages in group accounts, reported by Cover Wales | Latest disclosed annual player-wage figure; not a current-season payroll total. |
| £19.938 million | Year ended 31 May 2024; player-related wages in the club-hosted statutory accounts | Prior-year comparison. The accounts state: “Included in the above is £19,938,000 (2023 – £14,226,500) in respect of player related wages.” 2024 statutory accounts |
| £17.446 million | Capology’s 2026–27 estimate of gross fixed squad wages; bonuses excluded | A seasonal database estimate, not an audited or club-confirmed figure. |
The £29.190 million accounts figure and Capology’s £17.446 million estimate are not like-for-like measures. They cover different periods and use different payroll scopes and methods: one is an accounts line for player-related wages, while the other estimates fixed squad pay and excludes bonuses. The difference cannot establish that Cardiff’s wages fell by a particular amount.
What the accounts say about the wider cost base
For the year ended 31 May 2025, the group reported turnover of £25.794 million. Cover Wales calculated that player-related wages equalled 113% of that turnover; this is a calculation from the accounts, not a separately disclosed club statistic. Turnover and wages are distinct accounting categories, so the ratio is a way to frame their scale, not a measure of profit or total club spending.
Rank #2
- Official Licensed Manchester City F.C. Product
- 100% Polyester
- Woven Patch Logo
- Athletic Crew-Neck
The accounts also report £38.955 million in total staff costs across an average of 222 employees, including 58 players. That broader staff-cost total is not the same as player-related wages. Cover Wales’ analysis of the 2025 accounts
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How much of this is confirmed?
The annual player-wage figure comes from filed group accounts, as reported with the note-level amount by Cover Wales. The 2024 accounts are a useful earlier comparison, but they are not the latest available accounts in this source set.
Rank #3
No official source cited here identifies Cardiff’s highest-paid player or publishes an exact current individual salary. Capology’s Chambers figure is the latest named estimate available in these sources; another salary database may give a different estimate. The Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust chair’s commentary on the accounts says the auditors and board signed them on 16 January 2026 and discusses lower player salary costs in the following season after relegation from the Championship and a reduced squad. That commentary provides context, not a current payroll disclosure. Supporters’ Trust chair’s accounts commentary
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Official Licensed Manchester City F.C. Product
- 100% Polyester
- Woven Patch Logo
- Athletic Crew-Neck
- Short Sleeves
Rank #4
- Made for Cityzens – Features the Manchester City club crest with signature PUMA branding.
- Stay Cool & Comfortable – dryCELL moisture-wicking technology with breathable mesh panels helps keep you dry on and off the pitch.
- Iconic 2026/27 Design – Full sky blue gradient with a metallic monochrome crest creates a bold, modern Manchester City look.
- Match-Inspired Everyday Fit – Regular-fit replica jersey delivers the same on-pitch style with comfort for game day and daily wear
- Lightweight Performance Fabric – Made from durable 100% polyester with short sleeves for soccer, training, travel, and casual wear.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
