Policies to derive the best possible economic benefits from the sport sector, particularly during difficult economic times, can have a direct impact on the lives of European citizens.  Economic concentrations in field of Sport focus on several important objectives

• improve the monitoring and forecasting of sport data in order to influence social and economic policy
• identify sport's economic potential and share best practices on financing measures
• support legislation in the areas of antitrust, merger control and state aid under European competition law
• determine the best options for public and private financing of sport at grassroots level
• create awareness of the social and economic implications sport-related media and to safeguard intellectual property rights

These priorities are broken down into four fields of action

• sport statistics  
• sustainability
• regional development (Share Initiative)
• media and property rights

How does the Commission aid sport economies?

The European Union follows the EU Work Plan for Sport, which concentrates on sport's economic potential for Europe, and in particular, the sustainable financing of grassroots sport. The EU also relies on European court decisions focusing on fair competition and intellectual property rights.

The Erasmus+ programme contributes to the exchange of good practices in sport, particularly at grassroots level.