The Uefa Cup soccer final could be worth up to €100 million to the Irish economy when it takes place in 2011, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce (DCC) said this evening.
It was confirmed this afternoon that the event will take place in Lansdowne Road on Dublin’s south side. The venue is undergoing construction which due to be finished in August 2010.
The DCC said the event would contribute between €50 and €100 million to the from out-of-state visitors. “As we know from other major international events, visitors would enjoy both the match and other leisure offerings in Dublin,” said Dublin Chamber Chief Executive Gina Quin.
“Those facing off in the final will be treating themselves to over €14 million in food and drink, with another €7.5 million spent on entertainment.
“In total, we estimate that fans would spend €10 million on their accommodation during their visit.”
The DCC estimate is based on 9 out of 10 attendees to the match being from out-side Ireland and the stadium’s 50,000 capacity. However, given that club supporters have outnumbered the amount of tickets by 2 to 1 the impact could be as much as double, bring in a possible €100 million to the local economy.
Fine Gael sports spokesman John O’Mahony said it was a “huge coup” for Irish sport and a significant boost for Irish tourism.
“When Lansdowne Road is completed, I am sure it will fit the bill as a world-class stadium and I look forward to further events of this calibre being held there,” he said.
Dublin MEP Eoin Ryan of Fianna Fáil welcomed the decision which he said would bring tens of millions of euros to the economy of Dublin city and county through sponsorship revenues, merchandising, TV rights and tourism.
“I will be meeting with Michel Platini who is the President of Uefa when he comes to the European Parliament in Brussels on February 18th 2009 next to talk in further detail about this development,” he said. Eoin Ryan was one of the MEPs who co-authored the European Parliament report into the future of soccer in Europe.
