Sporting Events and Activities

Payment Behaviour Analysis: Sporting events and activities Sector

An analysis of payment practices within the Sporting events and activities sector, based on a sample of 27 UK-based companies, reveals a highly stabilised and predictable payment culture. The data indicates a central tendency that is remarkably consistent; the average payment time stands at 31.2 days, whilst the median is virtually identical at 31 days. This alignment suggests that payment behaviour in this sector is not skewed by significant outliers or erratic financial management. Furthermore, the standard deviation of 10.5 days is relatively narrow, indicating that the vast majority of businesses operate within a tight performance band. Consequently, creditors can reasonably expect settlement periods to centre around the standard 30-day commercial term.

When we analyse the distribution of payment speeds, it becomes evident that the sector favours prompt settlement. Nearly half of the analysed companies (48.1%) fall into the 'Fast' category, settling debts within 30 days. A further 40.7% operate within a moderate window of 31 to 45 days. It is encouraging to realise that zero companies in this sample averaged longer than 60 days to pay, creating a secure environment for suppliers managing cash flow. The interquartile range, spanning from 26 days to 39 days, further demonstrates that the core of this sector adheres to a disciplined payment schedule. The fastest payer settled accounts in a mere 4 days, whilst the slowest average performance was capped at 52 days, well below critical delinquency levels.

Despite the strong company-level averages, a granular review of invoice performance highlights minor inefficiencies. Whilst companies generally pay on time, the data shows that 20.1% of individual items are classified as late payments, and 7.1% of invoices extend beyond 60 days. This discrepancy suggests that whilst the organisational intent is to pay within a month, administrative friction or dispute resolution processes may occasionally delay specific transactions. However, with 57.9% of all invoices paid strictly within 30 days, the overall liquidity risk remains low. Stakeholders should simply be prepared for occasional administrative delays rather than systemic insolvency risks.

Finally, the geographical distribution of the analysed companies—evenly spread amongst the South East, North West, London, East of England, and West Midlands—suggests that this reliable payment behaviour is intrinsic to the Sporting events and activities industry itself, rather than being influenced by regional economic factors. Whether a company is based in London or the North West, the payment culture appears uniform. In summary, the sector demonstrates a mature and responsible approach to credit, limiting exposure for suppliers. Provided that suppliers organise their credit control functions effectively to manage the minority of late invoices, trading within this sector presents a low-risk profile regarding accounts receivable.