The panel will provide expert scrutiny and methodological assurance for the evaluation of UEFA EURO 2028, which will be jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland across eight cities and nine stadiums. The programme will assess the tournament's social, economic, environmental and football impacts from 2026 through to 2030.
Professor Simon Shibli, Professor of Sport Management at Loughborough University, will chair the panel and be joined by fellow panel member Dr Verity Postlethwaite, Lecturer in Strategic Event Management.
The evaluation programme has been developed by the UK and Ireland government partners to measure how hosting UEFA EURO 2028 contributes to economic growth, community development, participation in football and wider social outcomes. Findings will help inform the delivery of future major sporting events and provide evidence on the long-term benefits generated for host nations and communities. Professor Shibli and Dr Postlethwaite will serve on the Academic Panel of the evaluation programme led by Grant Thornton and supported by Verian, Ecorys, The Sports Consultancy and Sheffield Hallam University, which together bring expertise in major events, economic analysis, social research and sport policy.
UEFA EURO 2028 is expected to be the largest sporting event ever jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland, with partners predicting up to £3.6 billion in socio-economic benefits between 2028 and 2030. The evaluation programme will establish a detailed baseline ahead of the tournament, conduct post-event impact assessments and examine the event's long-term legacy.
Dr Postlethwaite, speaking on her appointment, said:
“I am thrilled to represent Loughborough University on this panel. Building on my work with Spirit of 2012, I look forward to working with partners across the UK and Ireland to ensure the benefits of UEFA EURO 2028 are captured, understood and shared, helping to maximise the tournament's long-term value for communities.”
Professor Simon Shibli, added:
“I was inspired to become involved in the impact of major sporting and cultural events by my mentor, the late Professor Chris Gratton, who conducted the seminal economic impact study of Euro 1996. I am delighted to support the evaluation of UEFA EURO 2028 and to help demonstrate how much the field of legacy impact measurement has evolved over the last 30 years.”