UEFA EURO 2028 UK & Ireland partners have today reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the benefits of the tournament are felt in communities across the host nations, with a single, cross-nation government evaluation programme designed to provide a robust assessment of the social, economic, environmental and football impacts.
The evaluation programme will assess the impact of hosting UEFA EURO 2028 from 2026 through to 2030, providing evidence of how the tournament supports economic growth, strengthens communities and contributes to the development of football across all host nations.
Hosted across eight cities and nine world-class stadiums, UEFA EURO 2028 will be the largest sporting event ever jointly staged by the UK and Ireland, with plans to deliver meaningful benefits beyond the tournament itself. Partners anticipate up to £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits across the UK and Ireland between 2028 and 2030.
The evaluation will help the government partners – Government of Ireland, Scottish Government, UK Government and Welsh Government - better understand the impact and benefits of the tournament, demonstrate value to communities and taxpayers, and inform the delivery of future major sporting events. It will include the development of a detailed evaluation framework, baseline analysis ahead of the tournament, post-event impact assessment and long-term legacy analysis.
Given its scale, duration and breadth of analysis across four host nations, the programme is expected to be one of the most comprehensive impact evaluations ever commissioned for a major sporting event, providing a unique evidence base on the social, economic, environmental and football outcomes of hosting UEFA EURO 2028.
Grant Thornton will lead the delivery of the evaluation programme, supported by Verian, Ecorys, The Sports Consultancy and Sheffield Hallam University, bringing together expertise in major events, economic analysis, social research and sport policy.
To ensure the programme benefits from independent scrutiny and academic credibility, UK Sport and delivery partners are also establishing an Academic Panel made up of leading researchers and subject experts.
The Panel will Chaired by Simon Shibli, with the membership consisting of:
- Simon Shibli, Loughborough University, Professor of Sport Management
- Verity Postlethwaite, Loughborough University, Lecturer in Strategic Event Management
- Robert Butler, University of Cork, Senior lecturer in the Department of Economics
- Jonothan Neelands, Warwick Business School, Professor of Creative Education
- Shushu Chen, University of Birmingham, Associate Professor in Sport Policy and Management;
- Gayle McPherson, University of West of Scotland, Director of the Centre for Culture, Sport, and Events. Professor of Events and Cultural Policy
The panel will provide challenge, advice and methodological assurance throughout the evaluation programme, helping to ensure findings are robust, transparent and evidence-based.
Simon Morton, Director of Events at UK Sport, said:
"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.”
Welsh Government Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan, said:
“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."
Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
"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."