Written Statement: Spectator Sports Survival Fund

Sport is important for our economy and for our mental and physical wellbeing. It will play a vital role in our recovery and healing after the pandemic and help us to develop a healthier and resilient nation as well as providing hope and inspiration from Welsh sporting success at home and abroad.

The Welsh Government is today announcing a £17.7m Spectator Sports Survival Fund. The fund will help the sector meet the ongoing challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic. It has been designed to provide immediate financial support for spectator sports through the remainder of the winter period to ensure that sports will be ready for the beginning of the new season in September.

Since the start of the pandemic and following the introduction of nationwide measures to control the spread of the virus, spectator sports across Wales came to an abrupt halt as venues, activities, competitions and events were closed, cancelled or postponed.

This funding package reflects the outcome of an analysis and impact assessment of sports based on an assumption that spectators are unlikely to return in any significant numbers before the summer.

A breakdown of funding is as follows:

The Welsh Government will continue to work closely with Sport Wales and stakeholders to identify whether any additional loan funding is needed to support organisations through this ongoing crisis.