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Davis Cup by BNP Paribas, the largest annual international team competition in sport, generates an annual economic impact of $184 million according to a report commissioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The competition, featuring 125 nations contesting 83 individual ties around the world in 2009, also generates around $53 million worth of commercial income for the ITF and participating nations each year.

The economic impact of Davis Cup measures the financial effect on tourism and other industries in host nations resulting from a city hosting a Davis Cup tie. In the World Group, ties generate a minimum of $6 million for the Final, and an average of $5.5 million for the semifinals and play-offs, $4.5 million for the quarterfinals, and $4 million the first round. On average, $2.25 million is generated for every Davis Cup tie in the World Group and Zonal Groups I a nd II.

In Barcelona this week, the overall economic impact generated by hosting the Davis Cup Final between Spain and Czech Republic is estimated to be in the region of $37 million (€25 million) given the large capacity of the venue, the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

The Davis Cup gives host cities an opportunity to raise their profile and boost how they are viewed by potential visitors. Hosting Davis Cup can provide justification for new investment by local and national governments, with potentially long-lasting effects on local economies. As a result, the ITF can report a steady increase in the number of cities all over the world that have submitted bids to host Davis Cup ties.

The Davis Cup is also an important source of revenue for the ITF's member National Associations, with many host cities prepared to pay large staging fees and invest in facilities to benefit from the economic impact. This financial support from local and national governments, combined with the commercial income from the event, helps National Associations in the development of tennis within their country.

The report demonstrates that Davis Cup differs from sporting events like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup in that it offers greater value for money. In general, the Davis Cup does not require considerable new investment in infrastructure as it makes efficient use of existing facilities. This is particularly important for those host nations with limited opportunities to stage major global sporting events. The Davis Cup provides worldwide economic benefits thanks to the geographical spread of Davis Cup ties, which take place across six continents each calendar year. A National Association can also spread the economic benefits within their own country by hosting ties in different cities over a number of years.

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: "Davis Cup by BNP Paribas has become increasingly successful both in terms of the quality of players who participate and its commercial appeal. Thanks to the considerable worldwide television audience, the competition continues to attract and to keep broadcast partners and sponsors, including BNP Paribas, our title sponsor since 2002. In addition to its commercial success, the unique format of Davis Cup has generated a huge global economic impact. The large number of ties that take place each year provide many opportunities for cities all over the world to host Davis Cup and therefore reap the economic benefits highlighted in our report. As a result, Davis Cup in its current format can provide a substantial long-term legacy for the development of tennis in the cities and the nations where it is staged."

The report The Davis Cup Economic Survey was produced by London-based independent financial forecasters Fathom Consulting and provides empirical evidence of the importance of Davis Cup and an insight into the benefits of the current format.

The report also provides the ITF's key constituents - National Associations, players, sponsors and broadcast partners - with evidence of the value of Davis Cup. This in turn can be used to help engage fans, commercial interests and other important stakeholders, such as local and national governments who may be considering investing in major international sporting events.