Municipalities spend most on sports

Dutch government spent more than 1.2 billion euro on sports in 2004. 93 percent of this amount came from the municipal coffers. Central government accounted for 6 percent, provincial authorities for less than 1 percent.

Government spending on sports, 2004

Most money spent on accommodations

Government support for sports mainly takes the form of subsidies to clubs and accommodations. Four-fifths of spending on sports is spent on accommodations and facilities. This amount, 1 billion euro in 2004, is nearly completely financed by municipalities. In 2004 158 million euro was spent on  sports clubs and sports councils, of which 66 million euro by central government and 87 million euro by municipalities.

Small differences between municipalities

Part of municipal spending on sports was compensated. Income from renting the facilities and from ticket sales accounted for just over 0.3 billion euro in revenues. Municipalities paid nearly 50 euro net per capita on sports. Small municipalities spent relatively a large amount on sport accommodations. Spending on clubs and sports councils was higher in the larger municipalities.

Spending on sports per capita by municipalities, 2004

More spending on sports in 2006 budgets

Municipalities spent about the same amount on sports in 2004 as in 2003. According to the municipal budgets they did not plan to spend more on sports in 2005. A substantial increase is foreseen for 2006, however: municipalities have budgeted 6 percent more for sports than in 2005.

Municipal spending on sports

Lia Siebeling and Ed Verburg