An independent report by Indecon International Economic & Strategic Consultants has confirmed the Aviva Stadium as one of Ireland’s most significant economic and social assets — delivering record annual impact across sport, entertainment, tourism, and the wider economy.
Since opening in 2010, the stadium has attracted over 10 million attendees across more than 300 major events, generating €4.5 billion in economy‑wide expenditure and supporting 10,000 jobs annually across Ireland.
The stadium is widely recognised as a national asset that strengthens Ireland’s cultural, tourism and sporting reputation, with 89% of the Irish public stating that it is important for national pride, tourism, and cultural visibility. In addition to its economic impact, a separate study estimates that the Aviva Stadium delivers €84 million annually in wider social benefit to the population, reflecting its broader societal value beyond events alone.
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9 March 2026; Stadium Director at Aviva Stadium Alan Gallagher, left, and Indecon Senior Partner William Batt during announcement of the Economic Impact Report for Aviva Stadium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile[/caption]
2024 was a landmark year of economic impact, with the report highlighting it as the most impactful year ever recorded. Across the year, 33 major events attracted 1.2 million attendees and generated €832 million in total economy‑wide expenditure. These events also contributed €130 million in tax revenues and supported almost 10,000 full‑time equivalent jobs, underscoring the significant value delivered throughout the year. Events spanned international football & rugby, concerts, business events and the College Football Classic — reflecting the stadium’s unique ability to host diverse, high‑value experiences for both domestic and overseas audiences.
The report highlights the stadium’s role as a major gateway for international tourism, with 129,900 out‑of‑state attendees in 2024 whose spending generated €417 million in net additional economic impact—value that would not have entered the Irish economy otherwise. In some years, international visitors account for over 50% of the stadium’s total economic impact, reflecting the breadth of overseas interest in its events. This international audience includes supporters travelling for football and rugby internationals, concertgoers from abroad, and the growing number of fans visiting Ireland for the annual US college football fixtures
9 March 2026; Stadium Director at Aviva Stadium Alan Gallagher, left, and Indecon Senior Partner William Batt during announcement of the Economic Impact Report for Aviva Stadium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile[/caption]
2024 was a landmark year of economic impact, with the report highlighting it as the most impactful year ever recorded. Across the year, 33 major events attracted 1.2 million attendees and generated €832 million in total economy‑wide expenditure. These events also contributed €130 million in tax revenues and supported almost 10,000 full‑time equivalent jobs, underscoring the significant value delivered throughout the year. Events spanned international football & rugby, concerts, business events and the College Football Classic — reflecting the stadium’s unique ability to host diverse, high‑value experiences for both domestic and overseas audiences.
The report highlights the stadium’s role as a major gateway for international tourism, with 129,900 out‑of‑state attendees in 2024 whose spending generated €417 million in net additional economic impact—value that would not have entered the Irish economy otherwise. In some years, international visitors account for over 50% of the stadium’s total economic impact, reflecting the breadth of overseas interest in its events. This international audience includes supporters travelling for football and rugby internationals, concertgoers from abroad, and the growing number of fans visiting Ireland for the annual US college football fixtures
Contribution Across Sports, Entertainment & Culture
The Aviva Stadium continues to deliver significant value across multiple sectors:- Rugby: Major internationals, club fixtures and European finals continue to draw substantial crowds and overseas visitors.
- Football: International fixtures, domestic cup finals and European club competitions contribute strongly to attendance and economic activity.
- Concerts: 2024 included five major sold‑out gigs, generating over €100m in economic impact.
- College football: Annual US fixtures deliver large numbers of long‑stay visitors — generating more than €300m in 2024
- Business & hospitality: Local hospitality businesses reported that up to 9% of their annual revenue is directly or indirectly driven by stadium events.