Hosting UEFA Champions League final to deliver £53m boost to the London economy

Hosting UEFA Champions League final to deliver £53m boost to the London economy

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has hailed London as ‘the sporting capital of the world’, as a global audience of around 450m people prepare to watch Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley.

The biggest game in European club football is returning to the home of football for a record eighth time, with London & Partners calculating a £53m boost to the London economy from hosting the match, with the potential for the impact being even bigger as a result of any high-spend football visitors (1).

50,000 fans of the two finalists are expected at Wembley on Saturday night, with many more travelling to London to soak up the atmosphere generated by the UEFA Champions Festival – a four-day footballing extravaganza taking over iconic central London locations.

These include the Ultimate Champions Tournament, featuring former UEFA Champions League stars, at Somerset House; two concerts and family activities on Trafalgar Square; a two-day takeover of Regent Street and a giant inflatable Champions League trophy next to Tower Bridge. The Mayor will kick off the celebrations in Trafalgar Square this morning by welcoming the UEFA Champions League trophy to London alongside former Chelsea and West Ham star Joe Cole.

Retail and hospitality businesses are expecting increased sales in the run up to the final and more than 1500 stewards, all receiving the London Living Wage will be employed on match day to keep visitors safe. They will be supported by 550 of the Mayor’s Team London volunteers.

Hosting events such as the UEFA Champions League final reinforces London’s reputation as a world-class host of cultural, sporting and business events. Both domestic and overseas visitors are brought to the city by major events, delivering direct and indirect economic benefits to the London economy.  

The Mayor is working closely with key London partners, including local authorities, the Met Police and Transport for London to ensure a safe and secure experience for all fans and visitors. Transport for London have advised travellers that public transport is likely to be very busy on 1 June, particularly the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines. Customers are advised to seek alternative travel routes.

The UEFA Champions League final is the first event in a thrilling summer of sport for the capital as London looks forward to welcoming Major League Baseball, Diamond League Athletics, test match cricket, Wimbledon, Olympic warm up events and Formula E back over the next few months.   

Londoners also have the excitement of roaring on the Three Lions at Euro 2024 in Germany and welcoming home our Olympic and Paralympic medallists as they step off the train from Paris. This will all be followed in the autumn by the return of the NFL for games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley.  

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted to welcome fans and visitors from around the world to London, host city of the 2024 UEFA Champions League final.

“The benefits of hosting the final stretch far beyond the Wembley pitch and should last long after the full-time whistle blows. It is set to boost our capital’s economy by more than £50m. 

“This match kicks off an incredible summer of sport, as London hosts baseball, cricket, tennis and Formula E, alongside our support for our teams at Euro 2024 in Germany and Team GB at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. 

“Bringing world class sport to London boosts our economy, showcases our city and inspires the next generation. IT’s a key part of our work to build a better London for everyone.”

London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord said:   “We are all looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to London this weekend for the UEFA Champions League final.   

“Our transport network is fully prepared to help customers travel around the city and assist fans in making their way to Wembley stadium. Our staff are all fully committed to ensuring a safe travel experience for everyone throughout their time in London, both in getting to the game and when going to restaurants, shopping centres, hotels and the rest of the world-class experiences our city has to offer.” 

Laura Citron, London & Partners CEO, said: “London continues to set the stage for world-class events that unite fans from around the world as the city gets ready for another exciting weekend of sport with the UEFA Champions League Final coming to town. Wembley Stadium will host Europe’s top football competition for a record eighth time, promising an unforgettable event for the whole city. Last week’s European Rugby Champions Cup showed us what’s possible as 61,000 fans from Leinster and Toulouse watched an incredible extra-time thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This weekend will be no different. Everything is set for an amazing final!”