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How we measure the economic and social impacts of major sporting events

Public funding to support the hosting of major sporting events often requires evidence on the wider impacts that these events can have on individuals and on the communities in which they are staged. 

We have been at the forefront of conducting major events' research for UK Sport and a broader range of public and private sector organisations. Our robust methodology allows event organisers and funders to understand the value of their events by quantifying their economic impact on host communities as well as social impacts such as happiness, civic pride and inspiring grassroots participation. 

While our event portfolio incorporates sporting events primarily, we have applied this approach successfully to the wider events industry including cultural events and festivals.

The challenge

How do you quantify, isolate and attribute economic and social impacts to a specific event?

The method

The  methodology we devised originally for UK Sport and its national partners is accepted widely as being the gold standard to measure a range of benefits associated with events. We have employed this methodology to assess the impacts of more than 150 events.

The impact

Our eventIMPACTS compliant research has contributed to a change in legislation to allow competitive motorsport on public roads in Britain, enabled infrastructural developments and continued support for major events, and facilitated a strategic alliance between Sport England and UK Sport to lever the sport participation benefits of major events.

SIRG impact reports

The Sport Industry Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Group has a track record of producing impact reports on sporting events. Some further examples are listed below.

• UCI Road World Championships (2019): Social impact of the event and its funded legacy programme
• The Open (2010–2019): Economic impact assessment 
• Solheim Cup (2019): Economic impact assessment of the event
• Ryder Cup (2014, 2018): Economic impact assessment
• World/European Championships (2014–2018): Economic and social impacts of 30 UK Sport funded events
• UCI Cycling World Championships (2023): Forecast of the likely economic impact on Scotland
• Wimbledon (2006, 2016): Economic impact assessment
• Henley Royal Regatta (2017): Economic impact assessment
• London Marathon (2000, 2010, 2015): Economic impact assessment