The Value of the UK Outdoor Events Industry : Economic Value, Employment and the Issues That Matter

John Gallery. (2026) The Value of the UK Outdoor Events Industry : Economic Value, Employment and the Issues That Matter. Event Industry Forum.

Texts
Information

[A][B][+][-]

21124:66064

[A][B][+][-]

21124:66064

[thumbnail of Gallery_Drakeley_2026_The_Value_of_the_UK_Outdoor_Events_Industry]

Gallery_Drakeley_2026_The_Value_of_the_UK_Outdoor_Events_Industry
Gallery_Drakeley_2026_The_Value_of_the_UK_Outdoor_Events_Industry.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Information

Abstract:

The UK outdoor events sector is worth at least £25 billion a year to the national economy. That figure covers the core economic value that outdoor events generate - not just ticket sales and organiser income, but every pound spent on transport, staffing, production and supply chains because an event happened. It makes outdoor events the single largest component of the UK's £61.6 billion events industry - bigger than conferences, exhibitions and business events combined. To put flesh on that headline number, this research mapped and profiled more than 500 named UK outdoor events, collected survey data from 178 event organisers and ran focus groups with over 100 professionals from across the industry. These data sources were triangulated with event impact evaluation reports produced throughout the UK to gain broad and robust insight into the true value of the outdoor events sector. The findings are consistent: the sector is larger than it knows, more valuable than it can currently prove, and under more pressure than government and stakeholders appreciate.

Additional Information:

This report was produced for the Purple Guide by Claire Drakeley, John Gallery and The Power of Events, April 2026. It draws on the organiser and supplier surveys (176 respondents), four focus groups with over 100 industry professionals, mapping of 537+ named UK outdoor events, and published data from UKEvents, UK Music, LIVE, AIF, ASAO, the Charity Commission, Enthuse, eventIMPACTS (www.eventimpacts.com), and independently commissioned economic impact studies by Sheffield Hallam University SIRC, Quantum Consultancy, and others.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

economic impact, social impact, outdoor events

Corporate Creators:

John Gallery

Publisher:

Event Industry Forum

Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:

Faculties > Faculty of Business & Law > Events, Tourism & Hospitality

Date:

5 May 2026

Date Type:

Publication

Number of Pages:

Language:

English

Status:

Published / Disseminated

Refereed:

Yes