Why it makes sense for business to invest in grassroots sport.
Investing in UK grassroots sports delivers a massive £4.38 in social and economic value for every £1 invested, according to groundbreaking data from Sport England. This metric, known as Social Return on Investment (SROI), demonstrates that funding community recreation is a highly lucrative strategy for the nation, rather than just a public expense.
Sport England’s comprehensive social value model reveals that grassroots physical activity generated a staggering £122.9 billion in total social value across the country in the 2023/24 financial year alone. This massive figure combines the primary value of improved individual wellbeing alongside crucial secondary financial savings for public services. Where the Value is Created The financial ripple effects of keeping local communities moving are felt directly across the UK economy and healthcare systems:
* NHS Savings: Over £8 billion is saved directly in net healthcare costs through illness prevention. Active lifestyles prevent more than 3.3 million chronic health conditions annually, including 1.3 million cases of depression and 700,000 cases of type 2 diabetes. * Workforce Productivity: British businesses benefit from nearly £6 billion in productivity gains because healthier employees take fewer sick days. * Economic Boost: Community sport drives a £36.2 billion injection into the economy through Gross Value Added (GVA) and local job creation. * Tax Revenue: The sector returns £14 billion back to public finances via tax revenues.
The Bottom Line
SROI proves that local leisure centres, community football pitches, and volunteer-led running groups are essential pillars of national infrastructure. Funding grassroots sports is a triple-win: it reduces the burden on the NHS, builds a more resilient workforce, and directly grows the economy. For policymakers and social impact investors, the evidence is clear—putting money into local movement yields exceptionally high dividends.