£17m annual boost and 336 jobs supported
The independent assessment, commissioned by Carmarthenshire County Council and produced by consultants SQW, found the Scarlets generated £17.3 million in gross value added (GVA) in 2024/25. That impact supported 336 jobs across Carmarthenshire and the wider region — from direct employment at the club to supply chain businesses and visitor spending.
Over a five‑year period, the report estimates the Scarlets’ contribution could exceed £102 million, with further growth potential if attendances and revenues return to pre‑pandemic levels.
One of Llanelli’s biggest employers
The Scarlets directly employ 112 people, making them one of Llanelli’s largest employers. They also trade with 266 suppliers, many of them small Carmarthenshire firms, and provide a platform for more than 100 sponsorship partners.
The report describes the club as an “anchor institution” in a majority Welsh‑speaking area, with Parc y Scarlets highlighted as a key regional venue for sport, business and community events.
Community impact beyond the pitch
Alongside the economic numbers, the assessment points to the Scarlets’ extensive community programme. In 2024/25 alone, the club delivered 786 primary school skill sessions, 86 Inclusive Community Club sessions, and a wide range of activities aimed at boosting health, wellbeing and participation in sport for all ages.
Through the Scarlets Community Foundation, the club is also credited with making a major contribution to the goals of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
Council leader: “Much more than a rugby club”
Carmarthenshire Council Leader Cllr Darren Price said the findings underline why the Scarlets matter far beyond the rugby field:
“The Scarlets are much more than a rugby club. They are a catalyst for economic growth, a cornerstone of community wellbeing, and a proud ambassador for our region’s culture and values. Their continued presence and success are vital not only for Carmarthenshire, but for the future of regional rugby and the communities that form part of it.”
Submission to WRU consultation
The report has been submitted to the Welsh Rugby Union as part of its consultation on the future of regional rugby in Wales. It follows a joint letter from the council’s Leader and Chief Executive urging the WRU to recognise the Scarlets’ economic and social importance when shaping the game’s next chapter.
and yet still had to defer the loan to the council yet again. This report says independent when all it looks like is the council trying desperately to protect the money it is owed as Scarlets face being culled