£17m economic impact of Scarlets revealed in report

RUGBY region the Scarlets has a £17m-plus economic impact, the majority of which being felt in Carmarthenshire, shows independent research.

- SION BARRY Business editor [e-mail]

A report from London-based consultants SQW on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council shows the club generated a £17.3m gross value added (GVA) in its 2024/25 season, from its direct, supply chain and induced effects.

Over a five-year period the report projects this could exceed £102m, due to the potential for significant further growth although the number of professional clubs in Wales going forward is currently unclear with the WRU now considering a response to its consultation.

The GVA of the Scarlets for the UK as whole consists of a £6.65m direct impact, £5.16m through the club's supply chain, induced staff spending impact of £3.92m and £1.6m from the impact of visitors and supporters. For the economy of Carmarthenshire the GVA has been calculated at £10.18m and £14.6m for Wales.

The research also shows that the club is one of the largest employers in Llanelli, with 112 full-time equivalent roles. Through its supply chain spending and the induced spending of its staff, it supports a further 224 jobs - giving a total directly employed and support jobs number of 336. Just over half (52%) of its employees live in Carmarthenshire, with 78% living within the south west Wales and 96% in Wales.