After years of financial struggle, UK Athletics has recorded its first profitable year (ending 31st March) since 2017 when London hosted the World Athletics Championships.

The financial surplus is a result of various cost cutting measures including redundancies and reduced support for programmes outside the World Class Performance System. Decisions that UKA Chair Ian Beattie has described as "extremely tough and never taken lightly, but they were necessary to secure the long-term stability of the sport."

Beattie, who took over as chair in 2021 went on to say; “I am very pleased that we are back in profit — it’s an important moment for UK Athletics and a real sign that the steps we have taken over the past two years are working. But I don’t underestimate how difficult it has been to get back to this position."

"We still have work to do, but we have shown that UK Athletics can adapt, rebuild and thrive — and that we are on the right path.”

The organisation credits their new partnerships with leading brands with developing their finances as well as the creation of Athletic Ventures, an organisation which seeks to align major UK meet organisations including the Great North Run and the London Marathon. 

“We are still working to reduce our accumulated deficit, rebuild reserves and manage the challenges of reduced public funding and rising costs. But this is a turning point — the start of a new chapter for UKA. We are operating differently, working more collaboratively and thinking long-term. I believe we are now in a position to push on: to continue the recovery, to strengthen the sport’s foundations, and to support our athletes and coaches as we look towards the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle.

Next year brings an exciting milestone with the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the first major championship to be staged by Athletic Ventures. It will be a powerful showcase for the partnership model that has helped drive our recovery and a major opportunity to celebrate our athletes on home soil.

I want to thank the Board, the executive team, our partners and, above all, our staff for their professionalism and resilience during what has been a demanding period. Their commitment has made this progress possible. We still have work to do, but we have shown that UK Athletics can adapt, rebuild and thrive — and that we are on the right path.”

The published financial report shows a profit of £107,588 in comparison to losses of over £1,000,000 in 2024.