NEW research into the impact the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has on the capital's and Scotland's economy has been announced.
Researchers from Glasgow University have been commissioned to carry out the analysis that will examine how the festival, which is the world's largest performing arts festival, contributes to job growth and how it supports businesses.
Professor Murray Pittock, pro-vice-principal at the University of Glasgow will lead the research team, with the project being supported by the Arts & Humanities Research Council.
Professor Pittock previously led a major study on the economic impact of Robert Burns. That work continues to inform policy around the promotion of the poet, particularly in Dumfries and the south of Scotland.
Professor Pittock said: “This study will be an important opportunity to articulate the extent of the Fringe’s value to Edinburgh and Scotland as a distinctive global offer and core brand, and it is great news to have the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council in carrying out this work.”
The Fringe is held each year in August, with more than 2.6 million tickets sold for shows across the city in 2025. It attracts around 750,000 people each year, supporting an estimated 3000 jobs, many in the hospitality and retail sectors, as well as hosting more than 3800 artists from across the world.
It has helped to launch the careers of a host of now famous faces, including Billy Connolly, Alan Cumming and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, who operate the performing arts festival, said: “The Fringe is a remarkable example of what can happen when artists are given the freedom to create and audiences the freedom to discover.
"Its impact reaches far beyond the performances themselves, supporting artistic careers and shaping how people connect with culture and new ideas.
“Work like this is vital in helping us better understand and articulate that value, ensuring the Fringe continues to thrive as an open and accessible space for creativity.”
