Coventry City reaching the Premier League will bring a major economic boost to the local region – according to a leading business figure who has seen first-hand the benefits it brings.
The Sky Blues secured promotion from the Championship with a draw at Blackburn Rovers after an incredible season that has seen them top the table for much of the campaign.

It comes a year after they missed out on play-off success as they were defeated in the semi-finals by Sunderland, who went onto win the final to take their place in the top-flight.
Success on the pitch for Sunderland has been matched by an economic uplift off it according to John McCabe, chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce.
He said: “Sunderland's return to the Premier League wasn't just a dream come true for the players and fans, it was another success story for the region, and it’s already having a significant impact on the local economy. “Each home matchday now brings around 10,000 more fans through the turnstiles than when they were in the Championship, with away allocations consistently being taken up in full. “Beyond the pitch, hotels are reporting an upturn in overnight stays and “longer dwell times”. Local businesses are experiencing what they describe as "spill-over spending", with matchdays becoming full-day economic events rather than just 90 minutes of football. 

Research from Sunderland’s Business Improvement Districts found that between August and October 2025, the food and beverage sector accounted for 38.4 per cent of overall sales in the city, significantly higher than the national average of 25.3 per cent - signifying the importance of the growing contribution of wider fan spending on match days on the local economy. 
“The feel-good factor of the club’s success has also extended to their global profile, with an unexpected surge in interest from Mexico generating new merchandise lines and international commercial opportunities that would not have been possible in the Championship.“Culture is crucial to this region, and it’s clear the impact of the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League extends far beyond the game. It's a very similar story with Newcastle United's return to the Champions League this season. That's been great for the club and for its global profile.  

“As a Chamber of Commerce serving the whole of the North East, our hope for the end of this season is that Middlesbrough will secure promotion back to the Premier League, so our region can have three teams competing in the most prestigious league in world football.”
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Coventry City have reached the promised land of Premier League football and it’s absolutely clear how massive that will be for them and for the whole region.
“We’ve seen how much of an impact their upturn in performances on the pitch have already had and the profile that several visits to Wembley have brought to the city in recent years.
“But reaching the Premier League is something else completely and we can learn from the example of Sunderland and other places across the country on what benefits this can bring economically.

Paul McMahon, Managing Director of Destination Coventry, said: “It will put Coventry on a truly global stage overnight, with the Premier League being one of the world's most powerful marketing platforms. "Our city will reach millions globally every weekend, which we are confident will result in a boost to visitors, overnight stays and the wider hospitality sector.There is a real buzz across the city, with the trickle-down economy spreading benefits far beyond the city centre into Warwickshire and beyond."Sport is one of the most powerful drivers of tourism and promotion to the Premier League represents a long-term opportunity to build Coventry's reputation as a destination far beyond football