New independent research has revealed that Scottish football now contributes £820m to the national economy and supports more than 14,000 jobs across the country.
The analysis was carried out by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde and assessed the economic impact of the 2023/24 season.
The study found that the Scottish football sector generated £545m in gross value added and supported 9,245 full time equivalent jobs through club operations alone.
When spending linked to supporters attending matches was included, the total contribution rose to £820m in gross value added and 14,315 full time equivalent jobs.
The research was commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League, the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the Scottish Football Association.
It found that total turnover across the Scottish football sector reached £426m and that the game now accounts for 20 per cent of direct gross value added within Scotland’s sports and recreation sector.
Attendances also remain a major driver of that impact, with more than 6.8 million fans attending professional matches involving a Scottish team during the 2023/24 season.
The project, launched in 2025, examined the economic contribution of the men’s and women’s professional game alongside Scotland’s national teams.
Researchers analysed three main channels, the economic footprint of clubs themselves, spending by supporters attending domestic league and cup matches, and spending linked to international fixtures and European competition.
The Fraser of Allander Institute examined club revenues and day to day spending using financial accounts and detailed case studies across the leagues.
That data was then fed into a detailed economic model to capture both direct impacts and wider spill over effects across the Scottish economy.
The findings build on a previous study published in 2020, which found Scottish football contributed £444m to Scotland’s GDP and supported around 9,300 full time equivalent jobs during the 2017/18 season.
SPFL group chief executive Neil Doncaster said the new figures underlined the scale of the game’s contribution across Scotland.
“This new research underlines the hugely significant economic contribution of our clubs and fans right across the country.
“It’s enormously promising to see such strong growth from the last study and clear that our clubs and supporters bring huge benefits to businesses throughout Scotland.”
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said the economic impact also translated into wider social benefits for communities.
“The power of Scottish football cannot be underestimated and it is encouraging to see the huge economic benefits the national game brings to the nation as a whole.”
SWPL managing director Fiona McIntyre said the report highlighted the growing role of the women’s game within Scotland’s sporting economy.
Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said the findings demonstrated the sport’s wide ranging economic influence beyond the pitch.
Scotland’s Sport Minister Maree Todd said the figures showed the national game’s positive impact across the country and confirmed further discussions with football authorities were planned.
The announcement comes ahead of further expected economic benefits when Scotland’s men’s national team competes at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
