Scottish football’s leaders hail revelation that game is worth £820m to economy

Scottish football’s leaders hailed the revelation that the game is worth £820m to the country’s economy.

A study, commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) and the Scottish Football Association (SFA), and carried out by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde, also showed that the game supports 14,315 jobs.

The new independent analysis of the 2023/24 season centred on the professional men’s and women’s game – alongside the national teams – and took into account fan spending.

This latest study also found that: The total turnover of the Scottish football sector was £426million: The industry accounts for 20 per cent of direct sports and recreation sector GVA (Gross Value Added measures the economic contribution of an industry, sector or region in the production of goods and services) in Scotland: Attendances topped 6.8million at professional football matches involving a Scottish team in season 2023/24.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “This new research underlines the hugely-significant economic contribution of our clubs and fans right across the country.

“It’s enormously promising to see such strong growth from the last SPFL-specific study we launched in 2020. It’s clear our member clubs and supporters, who attend matches in greater number per capita than anywhere else in Europe, bring huge benefits to businesses throughout Scotland.

“The Fraser of Allander Institute is widely respected for its rigorous analysis and this latest report further reinforces the crucial importance of Scottish football to our wider national economy.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The power of Scottish football cannot be underestimated and it is encouraging to see the huge economic benefits the national game brings to the nation as a whole and in communities across the country.

“From job creation to sustaining local and national businesses, football clubs and their supporters being a significant positive impact to Scotland.

“As the national association, we see how this economic benefit drives social impact, exemplified by recent Scottish Government funding to expand Extra Time, providing breakfast and after-school clubs for children in areas of greatest need and giving parents opportunities to study, train, or work.

“This report is a great example of the game working together to reinforce the positive impact our clubs and fans make to Scotland.”

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director, said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see independent research clearly demonstrating the positive economic impact of both the men’s and women’s game in Scotland.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress of the women’s game since the SWPL joined the SPFL Group in 2022/23, with growing attendances, increased investment and rising commercial interest helping to drive that contribution.

“This report reinforces that the women’s game is not only growing on the pitch but playing an increasingly-important role in Scotland’s sporting and economic landscape.”