Dublin’s hosting of the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final last season delivered a striking €17 million boost to the Irish economy, according to a newly published EY Impact Report, published today by the FAI.
The event’s success has not only underscored Ireland’s capability to deliver major international sporting spectacles but also aligned closely with a growing recognition of football’s wider role in Irish society – as evidenced by yesterday’s launch of the Bohemians Social Impact Study, and that published last year into the value of the League of Ireland in social terms.
Held at the Aviva Stadium, rechristened for the night as the Dublin Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 47,000 – more than half of whom were international visitors – the Europa League Final saw Atalanta triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in a game that was broadcast to a record-breaking 49.5 million viewers worldwide.
The game generated €17 million in Gross Value Added (GVA), supported almost 300 full-time equivalent jobs, and brought in €10 million in visitor spend alone.
Beyond the immediate financial windfall, the final also served as a powerful showcase of Ireland’s capacity to harness sport as a force for community, tourism, and international profile.
These broader benefits were echoed in the Bohemians Social Impact Study which spotlighted how League of Ireland clubs are increasingly becoming engines of social cohesion and inclusion.
FAI CEO David Courell welcomed the Europa League Final report, noting that “beyond delivering a superb event broadcast to almost 50 million people worldwide, we are immensely proud that the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final has made such a valuable contribution to the Irish economy.”
He added that the success of the final “cements a powerful legacy as we look ahead to co-hosting UEFA EURO 2028” and affirms Ireland’s readiness to deliver more on the global stage.
Dublin City Council CEO Richard Shakespeare praised the “strategic planning and collaborative spirit” that underpinned the event, calling it “a significant credit to all involved” and evidence of “Dublin’s capacity as a premier host for major international events.”
From an economic standpoint, the EY Impact Report presents eye-catching statistics.
25,400 international fans travelled specifically for the final; 34,000 attended the UEFA Fan Festival; and nearly 500 volunteers contributed 12,000 hours of service.
The event generated 189 million social media impressions – raising not just Dublin’s visibility but also Ireland’s credentials as a serious player in the global sports hosting arena.
Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, hailed the final as a “logistical and commercial success” that “provided a significant return on state investment.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue emphasised the vital role of volunteers and community involvement, suggesting the final’s success “augurs well” for Ireland’s future co-hosting duties in Euro 2028.
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
A great event for Dublin with lots of lessons on the hosting of major events, and lots of confidence that Dublin and Ireland are now at the top table when it comes to ability to bid and capacity to succeed.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The report runs to 38 pages and we will be dipping in and out of this as well as the Bohemians report over the course of the coming weeks and months.
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