The sports sector, along with its broad ecosystem of linked industries is a key driver of revenue, employment, livelihoods and development across countries at various stages of economic growth.
Such linked sectors include textiles and footwear; merchandise; sports equipment and digital devices; sports infrastructure; mega-events; catering and restaurants; sports education and training at different levels; entertainment and gaming; media and management of high-level athletes and related intellectual property rights; pharmaceuticals, well-being products and food supplements related to sports; medical services related to sports; sports tourism; ICT services such as team and player performance data generation; sports law and international sports law; transportation; business and sports analytics; and other related economic activities.
Sports also help in making important savings, such as through the reduction of absenteeism at work. Sports and linked industries are an employment-intensive grouping of sectors that generates income at local, national, regional, and global levels, promoting social cohesion. Beyond economic benefits, sports contribute to social development by enhancing health, well-being, peace, cultural dialogue, and human capital.
Globally, sports account for 5 per cent of GDP (excluding linked sectors), with North America currently leading. However, significant growth is expected in other regions, particularly Africa, which is projected to be the fastest-growing market through 2027. The room for improvement for Africa remains significant, as the sports economy only accounts for 0.5% of its GDP currently.
Saudi Arabia's sports sector, currently contributing 1 per cent of GDP, is expected to rise to 1.5 per cent of GDP by 2030. In the United Arab Emirates, the sports analytics market only is expected to reach the value of US$ 62 million by 2030, with annual growth rates at the level of 24%, whereas the athletics equipment market of the country stood at US$ 213 million in 2023.
Viewing sports holistically, along with its associated industries, helps to understand the contribution of the entire inter-linked ecosystem to the economy, job creation and livelihoods. Promoting the sports sector jointly with its linked industries can create a virtuous cycle, fostering positive change, multiplier effects and international partnerships based on mutual understanding and support.
UNCTAD’s collaboration with the United World Academy and Yelo (a mobile service provider in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), provides the opportunity to exchange on sports for development and entrepreneurship with a group of 60 young football players from three football academies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The young athletes come to Geneva in the context of the Yelo Cup, which is organized in July 2025 by the United World Academy.
