The Power of Football

Through *Meer dan Voetbal* and KNVB Expertise, I am involved in the research project “Kracht van Voetbal”. There is an increasing demand from professional football clubs, the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association), and the government (ministries and municipalities) for facts and figures that make the social power of football clear. Can we demonstrate that the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 had a positive effect on women’s sports participation? What are the economic and social benefits of expanding the stadium or the youth academy?

Greater insight into the effectiveness of measures allows football to optimize its efforts. From this perspective, the KNVB, *Stichting Meer dan Voetbal*, Eredivisie CV, and the Cooperative First Division have developed a simulator in collaboration with PwC that precisely clarifies the contribution of football to society, both economically and socially.

With this simulator, professional football organizations (BVOs) can calculate their societal contributions, including both financial and non-financial value. This provides BVOs the opportunity to work together with their stakeholders to enhance their local power and, thereby, increase the impact of football on society.