Sports have emerged as a key economic sector for the Canary Islands, contributing 4.5% of the region’s GDP and generating over €5.7 billion. More than half of the Canarian population engages in regular physical activity, with over 211,000 registered athletes across various federations.
The third edition of the Canary Islands Fair of Physical Activity and Sport, ExpoDeca 2026, will take place from 12 to 15 November at Plaza de la Música in Las Palmas. This event will serve as a hub for industry leaders, brands, experts, and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings and participate in various sports activities.
Recent studies show that 52% of the Canarian population exercises regularly, matching the national average. There are currently 61 sports federations on the islands, with 211,671 registered athletes competing for clubs or individually.
Approximately 2,600 businesses in the Canary Islands are associated with the sports sector, representing 1.4% of all registered enterprises. The sports industry alone generates €2.586 billion of the Canary Islands’ total GDP, which amounts to 4.45% of the regional economy. The indirect impact from the sector is estimated at €5.742 billion.
The economic benefits include €1.962 billion from private enterprises, €312 million from federations and clubs, €220 million from public administrations, and €92 million related to sports education. The sector also impacts areas such as hospitality, tourism, retail, and transport.
In 2024, the sport industry created ten jobs for every million euros of GDP, significantly benefiting youths and women. Overall, it generated 55,431 direct jobs, with an additional 20,000 jobs in related activities, bringing the total to over 66,000.
This growth is also beneficial for the public purse, with annual tax revenues from the sports sector nearing €1.7 billion, including contributions from the Canarian General Indirect Tax (IGIC) and Social Security. The IGIC alone accounts for €390 million of this annual revenue.
