A study by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde found that the Scottish football sector, which included the professional men’s and women’s game alongside the national teams, generated £820m during the 2023/24 season when fan spending was included.
Without spectator-related expenditure, the sport contributed £545m to the nation’s economy and supported the equivalent of 9245 full-time jobs, which rose to 14,315 when fan spending was included.
The report also found that 6.8m people attended professional football matches involving a Scottish team in the 2023/24 season.
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The research project, commissioned by the SPFL, SWPL and Scottish FA, was launched in 2025 to examine the contribution of the professional men’s and women’s game and the national teams to the country’s economy.
The Fraser of Allander Institute said it examined the day-to-day economic activity of Scottish clubs along with the spending by supporters attending domestic league and cup matches.
It also took into account the economic boost from fans attending matches for the men’s and women’s national teams and Scottish clubs in European competitions.
Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said that football helps support “substantial levels” of both economic activity and employment across Scotland.
She said: “This report highlights the significant and wide-ranging impact of Scottish professional football on the Scottish economy.
“Beyond activity on the pitch, the sport supports substantial levels of economic activity and employment across the country.
“The analysis helps to inform discussion about the role of professional football within the wider Scottish economy.”
Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, added that it was “enormously promising” to see the economic growth of football and its commitment to communities across Scotland.
He said: “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 SPFL-specific study we launched in 2020. It’s clear our member clubs and supporters, who attend matches in greater number per capita than anywhere else in Europe, bring huge benefits to businesses throughout Scotland.
“The Fraser of Allander Institute is widely respected for its rigorous analysis, and this latest report further reinforces the crucial importance of Scottish football to our wider national economy.”
Researchers at the Fraser of Allander Institute analysed club accounts, revenues and operational spending, alongside detailed case studies from clubs across different leagues.
That data was fed into a “detailed economic model” which then estimated the spill-over effects of the game across sectors in Scotland like hospitality, transport, and retail.
The total turnover of the Scottish football sector during the season was £426m, according to the report, with the industry accounting for around 20% of the direct gross value added (GVA) generated by the nation’s sports and recreation sector.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive, said the power of Scottish football cannot be “underestimated”.
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“From job creation to sustaining local and national businesses football clubs and their supporters being a significant positive impact to Scotland,” he said.
“As the national association, we see how this economic benefit drives social impact, exemplified by recent Scottish Government funding to expand Extra Time, providing breakfast and after-school clubs for children in areas of greatest need and giving parents opportunities to study, train, or work.
“This report is a great example of the game working together to reinforce the positive impact our clubs and fans make to Scotland.”
Meanwhile, Fiona McIntyre, SWPL managing director, said it was “extremely encouraging” that the research clearly demonstrates the positive economic impact of both the men’s and women’s game in Scotland.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress of the women’s game since the SWPL joined the SPFL Group in 2022/23, with growing attendances, increased investment and rising commercial interest helping to drive that contribution,” she said.
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“This report reinforces that the women’s game is not only growing on the pitch but playing an increasingly important role in Scotland’s sporting and economic landscape.”
Sport Minister Maree Todd added: “Our national sport has a positive impact right across Scotland and it’s very helpful to see how it also makes a major contribution to the Scottish economy.
“We are keen to continue working with football authorities and clubs to grow the sport and I will be having further discussions with them next month.”
