UEFA EURO 2028 – impacts and legacy: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment

Summary of aims and expected outcomes of strategy, proposal, programme or policy

The UEFA EURO 2028 Impact and Legacy programme aims to ensure that hosting the tournament delivers meaningful and long‑lasting benefits for people and communities across Scotland. The Scottish Government intends to use the event as a catalyst to increase participation in football and wider physical activity, with a strong focus on under‑represented groups and those facing socio‑economic disadvantage. This includes people living in deprived areas, low‑income households, disabled people, and communities with historically lower levels of engagement in sport. The programme also seeks to reduce barriers which currently limit participation.

Alongside increasing activity levels, the programme intends to strengthen community cohesion, create opportunities for volunteering and skills development, and foster shared national moments that highlight Scotland’s identity as an inclusive and welcoming host of major events. To deliver these ambitions, the Scottish Government will appoint impact and legacy delivery partners responsible for designing activities that align with national goals while responding to the specific needs of local areas.

The expected outcomes include an increase in participation and improvements in local empowerment, social connectedness, and access to opportunities. A key feature of the approach is its community‑led model, which is expected to produce more relevant, appropriate, and sustainable programmes by involving local residents directly in shaping activity. This model also supports capacity‑building, enabling communities to develop leadership, local networks, and volunteering pathways that contribute to long‑term social benefit. By targeting inequalities identified through the evidence, such as lower activity levels and reduced community cohesion in more deprived areas, the programme aims to support the reduction of socio‑economic disparities and strengthen wellbeing across Scotland. Impact and legacy activity will be supported by ongoing monitoring and a multi‑nation evaluation framework, ensuring that the benefits of EURO 2028 endure well beyond the tournament and contribute to wider policy goals relating to equality, children’s rights, and poverty reduction.