This paper addresses the complexity of the assessment and analysis of the economic flows generated by sporting events. It stands out the knowledge and analysis of the characteristics of sporting events as drivers of economic impact. This analysis provides information on those aspects that generate profit and can be exploited, and those that are not so significant and can improve or change. In tum, facilitates the classification of sporting events within a typology proposal, which considers the economic dimension of the same. Likewise, it explains all the problems of conducting impact analysis, the statistical disadvantages and misuse or misleading use of the same.