Economic and Social Yield of Investing in a Sporting Event: Sustainable Value Creation in a Territory

• Main Authors: Patrícia Crespo Sogas, Ivette Fuentes Molina, Àlex Araujo Batlle, Josep Maria Raya Vílchez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: sustainable value creation; sporting event; input–output model; cost-benefit analysis; economic impact; social benefit
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7033

Sporting events are a stimulant for the economy and for improving social benefits. This paper aims to estimate a sporting event’s economic and social impact through input–output tables and cost-benefit analysis methodologies. Tangible and non-tangible impacts, such as health benefits and the value of the host city’s tourism image are investigated. Using data collected from the MedSailing event in 2019, the results show a positive return from every euro invested in the sporting event both economically and socially. Additionally, the results related to the media impact of the sporting event are shown. A single figure of net returns to society enables policymakers to assess the social value of the investment itself and make decisions that improve the economic development of the territory.