Ahead of IWA OutdoorClassics 2026 in Nuremberg, the European Shooting Sports Forum (ESSF) has released a new flyer detailing the sector’s socio-economic impact. This communication tool builds directly on the landmark University of Urbino study (link) presented in the European Parliament in September 2025 at the event (link) organised by FACE and hosted by MEP Isabel Benjumea, Vice President of the “Biodiversity Hunting Countryside” Intergroup, to ensure that the industry’s significant value is recognised by international stakeholders and policymakers.

The data shows that hunting, sports shooting, and related industries contribute €180 billion annually to the European economy, representing nearly 1% of GDP and supporting over 1.1 million jobs. With combined annual expenditures from hunters and sports shooters reaching over €96 billion, the findings reinforce the sector’s role as a major driver of European trade, employment, and rural sustainability. Download flyer here