Champions League Gives Europe's Tourist Trade $257 Million Boost

Research by travel website GoEuro.co.uk and app onefootball.com revealed that the Champions League generates nearly £170M ($257M) "for the European transport and tourism industry," according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The research finds that potential income for a city will rise to £2M ($3M) for passing the group stage and up to £4M ($6M) for the semifinals. Looking at the costs of transport and accommodation only, the figures "do not take account of the cost of match tickets." Average tourist expenses (inner city transport, expenses and dining) along with GoEuro's own beer price and accommodation indexes "were used to calculate how much cities could make." Berlin, where the Champions League final will be held, "will be the big winner," with an expected £25M ($37M) in accommodation, transportation, food and beverage sales, souvenirs and other expenditures (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 5/1).