UEFA European Football Championship 2028: Funding and Benefits
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)
In 2028, UK and Ireland will host the UEFA European football championship. This will be the largest sporting event ever jointly staged between our nations, spreading benefits across the whole of the UK and Ireland. The impact and legacy of the tournament will start far before the first ball is kicked and extend far beyond the final whistle. It will champion the power of football, including its ability to bring people together in stadiums, fan zones and communities across the UK and build cohesive communities.
To enable a safe and successful tournament, the UK Government have confirmed a funding contribution of up to £557 million for planning and delivery costs. This has been benchmarked against best practice in the delivery of major events to ensure it provides value for money, as well as the necessary funding to maximise the benefits of hosting, support host cities, and deliver on our legal obligations. Funding contributions will also be provided by the devolved Governments and Government of Ireland, host cities, and UEFA, which is are primarily responsible for ensuring successful delivery.
As part of this funding, the UK Government will contribute £23 million towards a wider commitment from Government and football partners to a central legacy and impact fund of around £45 million, which will deliver socioeconomic benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland. Following an updated assessment, hosting the tournament is forecast to generate £3.6 billion in socio- economic benefits across the UK and Ireland, with £3.2 billion expected for the UK alone.
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