Football generates an annual economic impact of €1.521 billion and supports 27,822 jobs in the Barcelona metropolitan area, according to a new report titled The Football That Moves Barcelona, produced by 2Playbook in collaboration with the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.
The study analysed the activity of seven clubs: FC Barcelona, RCD Espanyol, CE Sabadell, CE Europa, UE Sant Andreu, FC Terrassa and CE L’Hospitalet.
According to the report, these clubs generated €981 million in direct spending within the Barcelona area and contributed €311.9 million in tax revenues to public administrations. The economic activity stems from club operations, player and staff salaries, service procurement, matchday activity, and spending by supporters and families connected to football.
The findings underline that football’s contribution extends well beyond its sporting and social dimensions, acting as a recurring economic driver for sectors including hospitality, restaurants, retail, transport, construction, professional services, media, and recreational activities.
73% of football-related spending remains in Barcelona
One of the report’s key findings is that the majority of football-related expenditure stays within the local economy. Approximately 73% of all spending linked to the sport is generated within the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), reinforcing football’s role as a catalyst for regional economic development.
Direct economic activity, including wages, operational spending, purchases and taxes, accounted for €720 million in gross value added and supported 14,621 jobs, representing nearly half of the sector’s total impact.
In terms of tax contributions, personal income tax and social security payments generated €242.6 million, accounting for 77% of total fiscal revenues. Value-added tax (VAT) linked to club activity, matchdays and operational expenditure contributed a further €66.7 million.
Impact extends beyond professional football
While FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol account for approximately €1.5 billion of the total economic contribution, the report also highlights the role played by clubs outside Spain’s top professional divisions.
The five remaining clubs included in the study collectively contribute more than €20 million annually, supporting economic activity within their local communities and neighbourhoods.
The report also examined the potential impact of promotion to LaLiga Hypermotion, Spain’s second tier. CE Sabadell and CE Europa both competed in promotion play-offs to reach the division, prompting researchers to assess the financial implications of moving up the football pyramid.
According to the study, promotion to the second division could increase a club’s economic impact within the Barcelona metropolitan area by 2.4 times and boost employment by 2.6 times compared with current levels.
Television revenues alone could rise dramatically, with a club potentially increasing its broadcast income from around €200,000 to a minimum of €5.3 million.
If any of the five non-professional clubs analysed were promoted to LaLiga Hypermotion, the report estimates they would generate an additional €40.6 million in economic impact, create 773 full-time jobs and contribute an extra €15.8 million in tax revenues.