Bologna and the Davis Cup share a legacy going back nearly a century. OpenEconomics explains how the event has generated social and environmental benefits, giving the city of arcades an extra surge of pride.
Bologna, world capital of Davis Cup
Home to the world’s oldest university - earning its nickname “the Erudite” - Bologna is no stranger to international tennis. From memorable Davis Cup battles in the 1930s to major ATP events, the city has always turned tennis into an opportunity for collective growth. Nearly one hundred years of history between racquets and arcades set the stage for a turning point in 2025: for the first time, Italy hosted - and won - the Final 8 with a “renewed” squad. The heroes of this edition - Berrettini, Sonego, Cobolli, Bolelli, Vavassori - embody the values of teamwork, tradition, and inclusion; talented youngsters and seasoned champions alike have contributed to Italy’s success and its lasting legacy.
The latest OpenEconomics study, expanding its sport economy track record of analyses, measured the event’s impact using Social Return on Investment (SROI), which quantifies social benefits in relation to costs, and ESG ratings to assess environmental, social, and governance criteria.
Community benefits, participant experience quality, and compliance with sustainability standards are all considered, providing an internationally recognized perspective on social growth well beyond the sport itself.
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A team victory… for Italy, champions again
OpenEconomics data reveals that the social return on investment from the Davis Cup Final 8 goes far beyond well-placed shots: €92 million in social benefits, with an SROI of 5.04 - virtually matching the Nitto ATP Finals (5.31) - and an AA+ ESG rating that would make any green-minded company envious (score: 82/100). The real ace? About half of the social benefits (48% for a total of 45 million euros) stem from SuperTennis and Rai broadcasting the Davis Cup free-to-air, enabling millions of Italians to celebrate together. Not just fans: the study shows 48% of SROI value is generated by spectators, with tourists (32%) and athletes (20%) sharing the podium of impact. As with the Internazionali BNL and ATP Finals, tennis is - above all - an opportunity to experience the city, from arcades to hills, and capturing selfies in Piazza Maggiore.
Congratulations, Italy - once again, champions!
Discover more on the OpenEconomics reports on the world of tennis.
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