A new report undertaken by EY suggests that Arsenal Football Club contributed more than half-a-billion pounds to the UK economy over the last season alone. The findings highlighted a particular boost to the local Islington economy, where two-thirds of the value-add occurred.

Founded in 1886, Arsenal Football Club is a historic soccer team based in North London. As well as being one of the oldest, it is also among the most successful – having claimed more FA Cup titles than any other team in the men’s game, while its women’s team has clinched more doubles and trebles than any other in English football history.

The club’s massive success on the pitch has also led to a significant legacy off it. A new economic and social impact report from EY has found that the gross value added to the UK economy by Arsenal every season is £616 million.

Of that contribution, £401 million is in direct value added, thanks to Arsenal’s activities and visitor spending on matchdays. A further £100 million comes from indirect means – via spending within the club’s local supply chains to meet its demands – while £115 million was induced by the spending of incomes from its staff.

Even more pronounced, however, was Arsenal’s impact on the Islington economy specifically. Of a total of £425 million in gross value added, EY calculated that £397 million was directly from the club – with a further £11 million indirectly, and £17 million via induced spending.

According to EY, this greater direct impact within Islington was thanks mostly to the large proportion of Arsenal fans entering the area on match days. Around 97% of supporters attending games live outside of Islington, therefore driving a huge economic impact in the area via visitor spending. In contrast, at a UK level, the economic impact only considers international visitors, who are additional to those already residing in the UK.

These large results generated by the club support the UK economy in two other notable ways. The club’s existence supports of over 4,400 jobs across the UK, including 1,600 in the local Islington workforce. At the same time, this leads to the generation of £228 million in tax revenues for the UK.

Jamie MacKenzie, head of pensions strategy for EY’s Scotland and regions team, commented, “This highlights the significant economic and social benefits that Arsenal helps to provide. Sport, and football in particular, has the power to reach parts of society that other institutions and organisations struggle to engage with – so while economic impact is always good – the ability for football clubs to deliver social and community impacts is just as, if not more important, for local communities.”

On that note, beyond commercial activities, the report also notes that there is a remarkable social impact generated via all this activity. Arsenal has reached more than 14,000 people through community projects during the 2022/23 season alone – highlighting a longstanding commitment to driving economic and social progress via numerous community-focused initiatives including the work of Arsenal in the Community, and registered charity, The Arsenal Foundation.

One of the club’s most successful initiatives is the Positive Futures Programme, marking its 20th anniversary this year. Combining football, sports activities, mentoring, and pathways into community volunteering and employment, the programme supports individuals living in local estates across Islington.

Kai Brennan, who is now an Arsenal in the Community coach, said of the campaign, “The first time I heard about Positive Futures, I was very little – I was about seven years old. I remember walking through Harvist Estate with my mum and my twin. Knowing it was free was a huge relief. The first session I went to, I just remember being happy in the environment. The coaches were great, supportive, and ensured that I was in a safe environment.”