Premier League Injects £9.8bn Into UK Economy as New EY Report Shows Major National Impact

New independent analysis by EY has highlighted the Premier League’s expanding economic influence, revealing that the league and its clubs contributed £9.8bn in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy during the 2023/24 season. The figure marks a 21% increase since 2021/22 and is more than 14 times higher than the league’s impact in 1998/99.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said clubs’ deep community ties continue to drive both local and national benefits as the league grows. Masters noted that the Premier League not only delivers major economic value but also funds the wider football ecosystem, supporting professional clubs, non-league sides, academies and grassroots initiatives.

EY UK chief economist Peter Arnold echoed those sentiments, describing the Premier League as a “success story for the UK economy”. Arnold said the league’s domestic and global popularity fuels job creation, boosts tax revenues and attracts investment, while also enhancing the UK’s global cultural influence.

Clubs outside London generated more than 60% (£5.9bn) of the league’s total economic impact last season, with the north-west alone accounting for 31,705 supported jobs.

Across the country, Premier League clubs continue to play a central role in their communities by supporting local businesses, improving facilities and investing in education, skills and health programmes. Recent efforts include a memorandum of understanding between the Premier League and the West Midlands Combined Authority to expand opportunities for young people in the region. Club charities in the West Midlands work with 20,000 participants each season, backed by £8.5m in Premier League funding over the last three years.

Globally, the Premier League remains one of the UK’s most influential cultural exports. A PACT survey found the league generated £1.7bn in international broadcast exports during 2023/24, nearly equalling the value of the entire remaining UK television sector combined.

The EY study also reported that the league supported more than 100,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contributed £4.4bn in tax, including £2.1bn from players and staff.