The economic and social impact of the European Football Championships

The European Football Championship is not only a celebration for football fans, but also one of the most economically and socially influential events for the host countries. These tournaments, ranking after the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games in terms of global impact, offer significant opportunities for growth and development.

Autore: Steffen Prößdorf | Ringraziamenti: Steffen Prößdorf
Copyright: Steffen Prößdorf | Licenza Creative Commons

With the 2024 Europeans ready to start, let’s take a look at some numbers from previous editions.

Investment and modernisation of infrastructure

Each nation hosting the European Championships commits to significant infrastructure investments. These range from the renovation of stadiums to the modernisation of transport and urban facilities, ensuring benefits that persist well beyond the conclusion of the tournament. Previous editions, such as those in 2008 in Austria and Switzerland and 2012 in Poland-Ukraine, have shown how such investments can improve GDP and national infrastructure.

Economic and employment impact of EURO 2016 and EURO 2020

EURO 2016 in France generated a turnover of EUR 1.9 billion, while EURO 2020, despite the pandemic, closed with a turnover of almost EUR 1.8 billion. In particular, the four matches played in Rome during EURO 2020 led to a significant increase in the flow of tourists and consumption. It is estimated that the event generated a net additional volume of 117,150 months of work, equivalent to 9,762 full-time jobs per year. This increase in employment reflects not only the efficiency of the event organisation, but also the positive impact on the local and regional economy.

Legislative and long-term impacts

The European Football Championship often accelerates the adoption of key regulations, such as those against Ambush Marketing, which are essential to protect the rights of official partners and to maintain the sporting and commercial integrity of the tournament.

Conclusion

Besides being a major sporting event, the European Football Championship acts as a catalyst for economic and infrastructural development, promoting a significant increase in employment and improving the quality of local infrastructure. These benefits show how such large-scale events can turn into sustainable, long-term growth opportunities for host countries, confirming the important role that football and sport in general play in modern society.

Forbes is talking about us!

If you found this article interesting, please visit our blog or our instagram page.

FGN is your guide in the financial and investment world, to safeguard your portfolio and avoid the erosion of your savings.