By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Athens Final Four delivered an estimated €26.75 million in combined economic and social impact, according to a new report commissioned by the event’s Organising Committee, highlighting the wider benefits generated by one of European basketball’s biggest sporting events.
The report, which assessed the tournament’s economic, social and environmental footprint, found that €21.08 million of the total impact came from direct economic activity, while a further €5.66 million represented estimated social value.
The economic impact assessment was conducted by a specialised company using the EventImpacts methodology, an internationally recognised approach for measuring the impact of major events.
Overall, the analysis found that every €1 spent generated €2.62 in return, while €11.58 million was channelled directly into the local economy.
The Final Four attracted 17,828 spectators and visitors from 27 countries. Among the 3,958 international fans attending the event, 77.5% travelled to Athens specifically for the games, while another 3.3% extended their stay in the city because of the tournament. Spending by visitors and accredited participants reached €11.58 million, with the hospitality, food and beverage, retail and entertainment sectors receiving the largest share of the economic boost.
The event also appears to have strengthened Athens’ appeal as a tourism destination, with 75% of visitors saying they were likely to return to the city in the future.
Beyond its economic contribution, the Final Four generated a range of social benefits, including increased engagement with physical activity, inclusion and volunteering. According to the report, 68.4% of Greek fans said the event motivated them to become more physically active, while 81.9% of participants believed the tournament promoted inclusion and respect. The event’s social and environmental initiatives were also positively assessed, with 70.8% of spectators giving them a favourable rating.
Athens’ image as a tourism destination received a further boost, recording an Athens Net Promoter Score of 8 out of 10. The tournament’s environmental assessment estimated its total carbon footprint at 2,859 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Air travel by fans accounted for the largest share of emissions.
At the same time, more than half of attendees (52.2%) used public transport to reach the venue, while 16.7% travelled on foot or by bicycle. Volunteers also played a significant role in the event. The 200 volunteers involved contributed a combined 5,356 hours of work, generating an estimated social value of approximately €29,565. Female participation stood at 53.5%, compared with 46.5% for men, according to the report.
For the Organising Committee, the figures demonstrate that the Final Four extended beyond the basketball court, creating benefits for the city and the wider region. “The findings of this report will serve as a valuable tool for planning even more sustainable and socially responsible sporting events in the future, leaving a positive and lasting legacy for Attica and Greek sport,” said Dimitris Fragkakis, President of the Organising Committee. He added that the results showed the event had generated “substantial benefits” for Athens’ economy, strengthened tourism and local businesses, promoted social initiatives and underlined the importance of sustainability in the organisation of major sporting events.
According to Fragkakis, these objectives were also central to the Greek government’s decision to pursue the hosting of the Final Four.
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