Five takeaways from Norwich City's latest accounts

Although group turnover totalled £40.3m, the club recorded an operating loss before player trading - of £42.3m [Press Association]Norwich City Football Club has released its latest annual report, detailing the club's financial standing for the year until 30 June 2026.It shows the Canaries recorded an operating loss of £13.3m - despite making almost £46m in profit from selling players.Before taking player trading into account, the club recorded an operating loss of £42.3m, compared with a £25.5m loss in 2025.​While the Championship side reported increases in areas including attendances, retail and sponsorship, its operating costs also rose sharply.Here are five key takeaways from the club's latest annual report.Rising operating costsStaff costs have increased at Norwich City [Press Association]According to the report, the club's operating costs rose to £99.8m, from £79.2m the previous year.Norwich City said this reflected its "continued investment in the playing squad and football operations".A large chunk of this figure is staff costs, which rose from £48.1m the previous year to £57.9m in 2026.These costs included wages, National Insurance, pensions and other employment costs.Within that figure, wages and salaries rose from £39.9m to £49.6m.Profit from selling playersNorwich City striker Josh Sargent completed a move to Toronto FC in a deal worth more than £20m [Press Association]Norwich City did record significant profit from player sales.The departure of players such as Borja Sainz, Jonathan Rowe and Josh Sargent helped earn the club £45.9m profit from player trading, up from the £24.3m achieved in the previous year. The accounts also included £16.8m in player amortisation, an accounting process that spreads the transfer fees paid for players over the lengths of their contracts.After player trading was taken into account, the club's operating loss fell from £42.3m to £13.3m, which it said was "broadly consistent with the prior year's result".In the report the club said: "Player trading remains an important part of our financial model and generated profits of £45.9 million during the year, helping to offset underlying operating losses."Fan support remains strongFan support has remained strong with a slight increase in shirt sales [Press Association]The average attendance at Norwich City's Carrow Road stadium was 25,899, while the club sold 20,039 season tickets.The club described this as "another strong year" for ticket sales.Retail revenue increased to £2.4m, helped by an 8.6% increase in replica shirt sales, with more than 29,000 shirts sold during the season.The report said figures showed "the incredible loyalty and commitment of our fanbase."Investment in the squadDuring this period the club has signed new players such as Mathias Kvistgaarden [Press Association]Norwich City has invested heavily in signing new players, with the accounting value of its player registrations rising from £32.6m to £53.9m.The accounts show £42.9m was added to player registrations during the year.This figure could include agent's fees, transfer fees and other costs linked to those deals.Those new signings include Mathias Kvistgaarden, Jovon Makama and Pelle Mattsson.The club said the figure "reflects the club's commitment to strengthening its squad while maintaining a strategy focused on recruitment and player development".Women's team support continuesThere has been increased support for Norwich City Women [Getty Images]Support for Norwich City Women increased during the season with the team winning promotion to the third tier.There was an increase in attendance and sponsorship for the side, with a 20% increase in Women's season ticket sales.Attendance at matches played at The Nest increased by 26%.According to the report, the growth of the women's team has been reflected in an increased sponsorship income.It said: "Sponsorship revenues also increased, supported by a more integrated approach to commercial rights across both the men's and women's teams."During the financial year the income from commercial partnership across the club increased by more than £200,000 to £4.6m.Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links Norwich City Football Club