Football Jan 22, 2026

Scottish football contributes more than £800m a year to the national economy, supporting 14,000 jobs

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Scottish football contributes more than £800m a year to the national economy, supporting 14,000 jobs

Scottish football is worth more than £800m to the country's economy, new research has revealed.

The game also supports 14,000 jobs across Scotland, according to the analysis from the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.

Attendances at professional matches involving Scottish teams topped 6.8 million during the 2023/24 campaign.

The research was commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) and the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and carried out independently by the Glasgow-based economic think tank.

The report examined the impact of football through the day-to-day economic activity of clubs themselves and spending by supporters attending domestic league and cup matches.

It also took into account expenditure linked to "international" fixtures - including Scotland men's and women's national team matches and European club competitions.

Neil Doncaster, group chief executive of the SPFL, said the report demonstrated the scale of football's contribution to communities across the country.

"This new research underlines the hugely significant economic contribution of our clubs and fans right across the country," he said.

The study also captures the increasing economic significance of women's football following the integration of the SWPL into the SPFL Group in the 2022/23 season.

Attendances in the women's game have steadily risen, accompanied by increased commercial investment and visibility.

Clubs are also competing more regularly in European competitions.

SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre said the findings showed that growth on the pitch was being matched off it.

"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," she said.

"We are incredibly proud of the progress of the women's game, with growing attendances, increased investment and rising commercial interest helping to drive that contribution."

The findings represent a marked increase on the Institute's previous SPFL-focused study, published in 2020 using data from the 2017/18 season.

It found that SPFL clubs and spectator spending contributed £444m to Scotland's GDP and supported around 9,300 full-time equivalent jobs.

The Scottish FA said the economic benefits identified in the report also helped support wider social outcomes, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Chief executive Ian Maxwell highlighted initiatives such as the Extra Time programme, which provides breakfast clubs and after-school sessions for children.

"As the national association, we see how this economic benefit drives social impact," he said.

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

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

Scotland's national sport will provide a further boost to businesses across the country when the men's national team takes part in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Thomas Frank: Under-pressure Tottenham boss says 'magic' Borussia Dortmund win shows 'we're on same page'

Thomas Frank: Under-pressure Tottenham boss says 'magic' Borussia Dortmund win shows 'we're on same page'

Under-pressure Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank hailed their "magic" Champions League home win over Borussia Dortmund as evidence that everyone at th...

Tottenham 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: Thomas Frank sees pressure ease as patched-up Spurs earn deserved victory

Tottenham 2-0 Borussia Dortmund: Thomas Frank sees pressure ease as patched-up Spurs earn deserved victory

Patched-up Spurs' best 45 minutes of the season relieved some of the mounting pressure on Thomas Frank with a 2-0 win over 10-man Borussia Dortmund.De...

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Birmingham City: Kyogo finally scores in Championship as Blues seal late win

Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Birmingham City: Kyogo finally scores in Championship as Blues seal late win

Late goals from Marvin Ducksch and Kyogo Furuhashi halted Birmingham's away-day blues in a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday, who set an unwanted clu...

West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Norwich City: Canaries thump five past sorry Baggies at The Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Norwich City: Canaries thump five past sorry Baggies at The Hawthorns

West Brom were plunged into a Sky Bet Championship relegation battle as improving Norwich won 5-0 at The Hawthorns.Oscar Schwartau put Philippe Clemen...

Preston North End 0-3 Hull City: Tigers romp to victory as Milutin Osmajic sees late red

Preston North End 0-3 Hull City: Tigers romp to victory as Milutin Osmajic sees late red

Liam Millar scored against his former side before Oli McBurnie rounded off Hull's thumping 3-0 win over Preston in style.The 26-year-old Millar was on...

Oxford United 0-0 Queens Park Rangers: Another goalless draw for new U's boss Matt Bloomfield

Oxford United 0-0 Queens Park Rangers: Another goalless draw for new U's boss Matt Bloomfield

Matt Bloomfield is still looking for his first win as Oxford manager after a second successive 0-0 draw.QPR held the relegation-threatened Us goalless...