EURO 2028 Partners Reaffirm Commitment to Community Benefits and Impact Evaluation
A comprehensive programme will assess the social, economic, environmental, and football impacts of the tournament from 2026 to 2030.
By The SME Chronicle Newsroom
••3 min read
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Partners for UEFA EURO 2028 in the UK and Ireland have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the tournament's benefits reach communities across the host nations through a new, cross-nation government evaluation programme.
The evaluation programme, set to run from 2026 to 2030, will provide a robust assessment of the social, economic, environmental, and football impacts of hosting UEFA EURO 2028. This initiative aims to demonstrate how the tournament supports economic growth, strengthens communities, and contributes to the development of football across all host nations.
Scheduled to be the largest sporting event ever jointly staged by the UK and Ireland, UEFA EURO 2028 will be hosted across eight cities and nine stadiums. Partners anticipate up to £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits between 2028 and 2030. The evaluation will help government partners, including the Government of Ireland, Scottish Government, UK Government, and Welsh Government, understand the tournament's impact, demonstrate value to taxpayers, and inform future major sporting events.
The programme includes a detailed evaluation framework, baseline analysis, post-event impact assessment, and long-term legacy analysis. It is expected to be one of the most comprehensive impact evaluations ever commissioned for a major sporting event.
Grant Thornton will lead the delivery, supported by Verian, Ecorys, The Sports Consultancy, and Sheffield Hallam University. An independent Academic Panel, chaired by Simon Shibli of Loughborough University, will provide scrutiny and academic credibility. Panel members include experts from Loughborough University, University of Cork, Warwick Business School, University of Birmingham, and University of the West of Scotland.
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"We want major sporting events to make a positive difference to people's lives and in the communities that host them. This programme will provide the independent evidence, scrutiny and expertise needed to understand what impact the tournament is having, where benefits are being realised and how those benefits can be maximised. The insights it generates will help partners demonstrate how hosting major events can support stronger communities, generate economic opportunity and bring people together."
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"Events like EURO 28 are full of potential and by investing in a comprehensive evaluation programme, we will be better placed to understand how our involvement will contribute to economic growth, community development, participation in sport and wider social outcomes. It will help ensure a meaningful and enduring legacy for Wales, long after the last ball has been kicked, and inform the delivery of future major events."
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"Scotland has earned its place on the world stage, not just through our ability to put on a great event, but through our values and belief that sport belongs to everyone. This evaluation programme will help us understand the value of co-hosting UEFA EURO 2028, from the economic benefits for our businesses and communities to the lasting impact on participation in sport across the country. Scotland has a strong track record of delivering major events, and with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Tour de France Grand Départ and The Open in 2027, and UEFA EURO 2028, we are building on that reputation. Robust evaluation will help us demonstrate the benefits these events bring, and build the evidence we need to make the most of future opportunities for our economy, our communities and our nation's health, for many years to come."
Based on information from the official source: UK Sport (03/11/2026)
