CEV EuroVolley 2023 economic impact estimated at € 234 million in Italy alone

CEV President Aleksandar Boričić attended earlier this week a high-profile meeting organised at the premises of Italy’s Ministry for Sport and Youth where the social and economic impact of the highly successful CEV EuroVolley 2023 was reviewed and analysed. Italy was among the seven host countries and did deliver both the men’s and women’s competitions – which did draw an enormous interest from regular Volleyball fans and members of the public alike.  

“The last CEV EuroVolley was a tremendous success and in saying so, I do not speak about Italy only, but for the whole of Europe,” the CEV President said. “We are extremely satisfied with what we have achieved, and the event represented a real push and tremendous opportunity to ensure and increase the visibility and exposure of our sport. The Italian Volleyball Federation has a wealth of experience when it comes to the delivery of such major events, and we are always happy to have them by our side in our efforts to promote and grow Volleyball on the international stage. I wish to thank the Italian government and all local and national authorities for their invaluable support,” he added. 

A variety of data were presented and discussed – including the 37.5 million people that did follow the matches broadcast live by RAI and Sky, the € 2.9 million proceedings resulting from the ticket sale to continue with the 4 million users that did interact and engage with the continental championship via the official social media channels run by the Italian Volleyball Federation. The total economic impact resulting from the delivery of CEV EuroVolley Men and Women in Italy has been estimated at € 234 million, which goes well beyond any expectations. 

“We all still have fond memories from the latest CEV EuroVolley, when the whole of Italy did embrace such a major sporting event. The CEV EuroVolley 2023 represents a showcase of Italy’s abilities from an organisational and technical perspective. The Italian Volleyball Federation and the CEV were able to deliver a major sporting event by maximising the return for the investment provided by the government. The analysis confirms that the event has been a resounding success, as we could feel already while the championship was being held,” said Italy’s Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi. 

“We have decided to share this report with our national authorities in first instance since their support was highly important towards the delivery of EuroVolley. This past August we had shared with the government and the National Olympic Committee our project and our goals – and today we have come to show the results of our hard work for many months. I can happily state that the CEV EuroVolley 2023 was a major success, as shown also by the subsequent increase in the number of licensed players. Therefore, I wish to thank the Ministries, the National Olympic Committee, the regional authorities, and the professional leagues – since this was a truly amazing collective effort,” said the President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Mr Giuseppe Manfredi.

“The most important thing is the positive message that Volleyball was able to send out through the CEV EuroVolley. It is very important to see that governmental funds have produced the results outlined in this report. The Italian Volleyball Federation has much experience and they have learned from their mistakes and improved throughout the years. This is a very important year for Italy’s sports family, and I am confident that Volleyball has all the assets required to perform well. Volleyball has much appeal to the families and to this extent, it is highly important that it keeps this trait and identity also via regular free-to-air TV coverage,” concluded Mr Giancarlo Giorgetti, Italy’s Minister of Economy and Finance.