Serie A is not just about sport. It is also a powerful economic engine for Italy. This was revealed through an independent study on the economic impact of the league.
From club spending to supply chains and regional impact
According to the latest analysis, Italy’s top football league generated a total economic impact of €9.2 billion in GDP in 2023 — equal to 0.48% of the national Gross Domestic Product.
But the figures don’t stop there:
• €2.2 billion in tax revenues
• €8 billion in household income
• 151,000 jobs created through direct, indirect, and induced effects
The economic value of football thus becomes a structural pillar of the national economy.
The starting point of this economic impact assessment is the aggregated expenditure of Serie A clubs, which amounted to €3.5 billion in 2023. Of this, 49% was allocated to salaries, while the remainder was distributed across sectors like transport, hospitality, technical materials, apparel, sports infrastructure, and services.
This expenditure acted as a demand shock, activating industrial supply chains and upstream services. The direct GDP generated is 2.5 billion, the indirect GDP is 720 million, and the induced GDP is a substantial 6 billion euros.
The most impacted sectors were:
• Commerce: €1.2 billion
• Transport: €1.2 billion
• Real Estate Activities: €1 billion
• Business Services: €656 million
Sport and employment: a growing connection
The employment impact of Serie A is just as significant: 151,000 jobs were created, with distribution as follows:
• 63% in services
• 36% in industry
• 1% in agriculture
These data confirm that football-related employment spans the entire value chain — from direct production to induced family spending effects.
The economic impact of Serie A has also been covered by leading outlets like Guerin Sportivo and Corriere dello Sport, reflecting the growing interest in evaluating the value generated by professional sport.
In a context of economic transformation, football remains a stable resource — not just entertainment, but a pillar that supports GDP, employment, supply chains, and public revenues.
Want more insights on the economic impact of sport in Italy and Europe?
Follow OpenEconomics on LinkedIn and discover our analyses on football, major events, culture, and local development.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}