UEFA and The FA unveil UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Impact Report

UEFA and The FA have today released the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Impact Report, confirming the competition is on track to be the biggest women’s European sport event in history.

The report, produced by EY, indicates the tournament is expected to deliver £54 million in economic activity to the nine host cities: Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh. The host cities are expecting to welcome 96,000 international visitors from 95 territories.

There will also be engagement from fans from all over the world as international audiences could reach over 250 million across more than 195 territories. Host cities will also see a positive socio-economic impact thanks to over 5,500 people taking part in the volunteer programme.

The report reveals ticket sales for the tournament are on track to double the attendance of UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the Netherlands, with 51% of football fans planning to attend or watch.

Providing a platform for greater participation in the game and community engagement, the tournament aims to leave a lasting legacy by inspiring the next generation of players and fans, providing opportunities for more than 500,000 women and girls to participate and engage with football through focused efforts of legacy groups within each of the host cities.

UEFA’s chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler said, “This pre-tournament report proves that the impact won’t stop with the final whistle at Wembley on 31 July. UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 has a unique chance to be a catalyst for change locally, nationally, across Europe and beyond. The tournament and our collective ambition will positively impact local economies and tourism, people and communities and the global visibility of the women’s game, whilst providing valuable inspiration for the future.”

Baroness Sue Campbell, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 board member and director of women’s football at the FA, added: “With less than 50 days to go until the tournament gets under way, this report highlights what we can achieve with a continued focus on capitalising on the opportunities offered by UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 and importantly how we can measure our success. Our aim is twofold: to deliver a record-breaking tournament and to leave a tangible legacy to grow the women’s game.

“By inspiring fans at home and abroad, and by committing to provide playing opportunities to girls in every school and club across the country, I am confident we can deliver on both aims.”

EY will produce a ‘flash’ report that will be published approximately six to eight weeks after the tournament to provide an initial indication of the impacts achieved. Developments in participation and interest in women’s football will be monitored to inform the full post-event impact study, which will be produced in summer 2023.