Women’s Sport Delivers £55m Economic Boost to London

Women’s sports provided a substantial economic injection to London in 2025, with reporting from the BBC and City AM estimating the boost at between £50 million and £55 million. Mayor Sadiq Khan has leveraged these figures to label London the undisputed global capital for women’s sport as he seeks to attract further major international events to the city.

The financial impact of women’s athletics in the capital has emerged as a key metric for city officials. According to a report cited by the BBC on June 9, 2026, women’s sport brought a £55 million boost to London during 2025.

However, other media outlets report a different figure for the same period. City AM reported the economic boost as £50 million.

This £5 million discrepancy between the BBC and City AM reports suggests varying interpretations of the economic data, though both sources agree on the significant scale of the contribution.

Why is London being called the global capital for women’s sport?

Mayor Sadiq Khan has used the 2025 economic data to position London as the primary hub for female athletics. The Mayor’s assessment of the city’s status is highlighted in reporting from City AM.

undisputed global capital for women’s sport

Sadiq Khan via City AM

By framing the city in these terms, the Mayor’s office is linking the 2025 financial gains to the city’s existing infrastructure and its ability to support high-attendance women’s sporting events.

How will the city expand its sporting portfolio?

The administration intends to use the momentum from the 2025 boost to secure a higher volume of international competitions. According to The Times, Sadiq Khan aims to bring more major sport to the capital.

This strategy shifts the focus from merely hosting events to using the proven economic viability of women’s sports as a tool for urban growth. The city intends to build on the established trend of high financial returns to make London more competitive in bidding for future global tournaments.