Spectator Sports-Related Travel Generates $47.1 Billion Impact

More than 100 million people traveled more than 50 miles to attend professional minor league and collegiate regular-season sports events in the United States last year, generating $47.1 billion in direct economic impact, according to results of new research commissioned by the Sports Events & Tourism Association.

The research, performed by Tourism Economics and sponsored by the Northstar Meetings Group, marks the first time the economic impact of people traveling as spectators to those sporting events has been recorded. The survey concluded that 109.7 million people traveled to professional, minor league and collegiate regular-season events in the past year, including 63.5 million who spent the night.

Combined with non-direct and induced spending, those travelers generated $114.4 billion in overall impact, supporting 664,860 jobs and delivering $8.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. The $47.1 billion direct economic impact figure includes money those travelers spent on housing, transportation, concessions, retail and recreation while attending those events. Overall, those travelers generated an estimated 42.7 million room nights.

“Spectator sports travel continues to play an essential role in driving tourism and economic vitality in communities nationwide,” said John David, president and chief executive officer of Sports ETA. “This year’s expanded study affirms the far-reaching impact of fans traveling to watch their favorite teams and athletes in person.”

Sports ETA previously recorded the economic impact of those traveling to amateur and youth sports, and collegiate championships in a State of the Industry Report released last year. That report focused on those areas as the majority of those events move from destination to destination whereas professional, minor league collegiate regular-season events typically stay in one location.

The earlier report showed a $52.2 billion direct economic impact from travelers to those events and a $128 billion overall impact. Combined with the latest data, the totality of direct economic impact for all sports-related travel — amateur through professional sports — is $99.3 billion, with an overall impact of more than $242 billion.

The data marks the latest evidence of the power of the sports-related travel market. As the United States prepares to host some of the largest sports events in the world over the next decade, further attention is expected to be focused on the market. Among those events are the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Summer Games, the 2029 World University Games, the 2031 Rugby World Cup, the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The United States is also likely to be awarded the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The new study also revealed which states generate the most spectator travel to professional, minor league and collegiate regular-season events. California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania generated the most travel, according to the report. Ohio, Illinois, Arizona, Georgia and Missouri rounded out the Top 10.

“These states are leading examples of how strong destination infrastructure, venue investment, and a passionate fan base translate into tourism growth,” David said. “This deeper look at spectator sports helps our Sports ETA members evaluate trends and plan for future growth.”