Sports Clubs in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: September 2024
SIC R93.120Revenue
£16.2bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£X
Employees
173k
Businesses
9,469
Wages
£X.Xbn
Sports Clubs in the UK industry analysis
Over the five years through 2024-25, sports clubs' revenue is expected to decrease at a compound annual rate of 0.3% to £16.2 billion. This is primarily due to COVID-19, which caused revenue to fall by 21.3% in 2020-21. Despite this setback, the industry has rebounded, thanks to the growing popularity of the Premier League and increasing match-day revenues. Spearheading this revenue growth are the Premier League clubs, whose substantial investments have elevated the league's reputation and quality. The league's success in Europe, securing three Champions League titles since 2019 has also bolstered its reputation, spurring further sponsorship deals and revenue growth.
Trends and Insights
- Large investment pushes the industry forward. Sports clubs, ranging from small to large, have seen increased investment from private and public bodies. Those in the premier league receive huge investments from private owners, while smaller amateur clubs receive government funding.
- Loyal fans drive merchandise sales. Sports clubs leverage fan loyalty and brand exposure to boost revenue through retail, merchandise sales and strategic social media marketing campaigns. The cost-of-living crisis easing has created opportunities for merch sales.
- The South East teems with sports clubs due to its large, wealthy population. High disposable incomes paired with avid participation in sports, inspired by the region's warmer weather, draw clubs in.
- Getting hold of high-profile players is key. Coveted stars boost revenue through sponsorships, merchandise sales and media coverage, as well as potentially attracting new supporters to a club — just look at Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £16.2bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Recent performance in Europe has been underwhelming
- The Premier League has seen success in Europe, with European clubs winning the Champions League three out of the previous six years, with Man City being the most recent winners in the 2022-23 season and Westham winning the Europa Conference League.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Interest in wide array of sports is increasing revenue
- Football is the biggest sport in the UK, which makes it the biggest sport that generates the highest revenue for sports clubs in the UK; however, recently, there's been growing interest in other sports, which will continue to boost revenue for sports facilities in the UK.
Biggest companies in the Sports Clubs in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Manchester City Football Club Ltd | 718.4 | |
Manchester United plc | 681.3 | |
The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Ltd | 621.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Broadcasting services , Commercial services and Matchday services. Broadcasting services is the largest segment of the Sports Clubs in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Broadcasting revenue depends on the performance and exposure of a sports club
- Broadcasting services make up a considerable proportion of industry revenue. This segment compromises the money the broadcaster has paid to stream a sporting event or competition.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Sports Facilities in the UK
- Gyms & Fitness Centres in the UK
Complementors
- Sporting Goods Manufacturing in the UK
- Sporting and Outdoor Equipment Retailers in the UK
- Golf Courses in the UK
International industries
- Sports Franchises in the US
- Racing & Individual Sports in the US
- Ice Rinks in the US
- Spectator Sports in Canada
- Sports and Physical Recreation Clubs in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry comprises sports clubs that offer professional, semi-professional or amateur sporting activities and often provide facilities, coaching and competitive opportunities for their members. Sports clubs play a significant role in community engagement and the development of sporting talent.
What's included in this industry?
Broadcasting servicesCommercial servicesMatchday servicesOther servicesCompanies
Manchester City Football Club LtdManchester United plcThe Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
PREMIER LEAGUE (PL)PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CLUBSAMATEUR SPORTS CLUBSIndustry Code
SIC 93.12 - Sports Clubs in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Large investment pushes the industry forward. Sports clubs, ranging from small to large, have seen increased investment from private and public bodies. Those in the premier l...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Loyal fans drive merchandise sales. Sports clubs leverage fan loyalty and brand exposure to boost revenue through retail, merchandise sales and strategic social media marketi...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The South East teems with sports clubs due to its large, wealthy population. High disposable incomes paired with avid participation in sports, inspired by the region's warmer...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Getting hold of high-profile players is key. Coveted stars boost revenue through sponsorships, merchandise sales and media coverage, as well as potentially attracting new sup...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Return to Europe increased revenue for Arsenal. Arsenal played in the Champions League for the first time in six years in the 2023-24 season. This increased revenue is due to...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Manchester City Football Club Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Manchester United plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Manchester City Football Club Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Manchester United plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Brexit shifts the landscape for foreign player transfers. Sports clubs now grapple with new hurdles, including work permits and age restrictions, making international deals m...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit isn’t usually the priority for sports clubs. As clubs focus on long-term goals like brand-building and community engagement, they reduce focus on making significant re...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £16.2bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 9,469 businesses in the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Sports Clubs in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Sports Clubs market in United Kingdom are Manchester City Football Club Ltd, Manchester United plc and The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Ltd
What does the Sports Clubs in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Broadcasting services and Commercial services are part of the Sports Clubs in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sports Clubs in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Manchester City Football Club Ltd.
How competitive is the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Sports Clubs in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
