Youth and amateur sports tourism breaks visitor spending record in 2024

SportsNonprofit

Jan 9

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) reported that youth and amateur sports tourism generated an estimated $90.8 million in economic impact for the region in 2024 through 112 events. This figure, which includes both direct and indirect visitor spending, represents the highest annual total in the organization’s history and a 65 percent increase compared to 2019. Additionally, the Meijer Sports Complex achieved a record year, generating an estimated $9.3 million in economic impact – a 7.4 percent increase from 2023 and a 53 percent gain compared to 2019.

“The WMSC’s primary mission is to be an economic generator for West Michigan through sports tourism, and this past year demonstrates the power of youth and amateur sports in driving the local economy,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “It is clear through our record-breaking estimated economic impact in 2024 that sports tourism only continues to grow in significance for our region.”

The WMSC was founded in 2007 to harness some of the $52.2 billion national youth and amateur sports industry for the region. One of its key tenets is generating overnight stays from event visitors, which drives spending in area hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Since its inception, the WMSC has booked 1,328 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 2.4 million athletes and visitors, generating over $738 million in estimated economic impact.

Looking ahead at 2025, the WMSC is focused on continuing to increase the number of traveling athletes and visitors, and related hotel revenue and visitor spending, plus bidding on more marquee events in 2025 and beyond. The WMSC also will be managing the Meijer Sports Complex expansion project as well as bidding on events that can be held at the new Amway Stadium when it opens in 2027.

“We see a tremendous opportunity with Amway Stadium to attract more prestigious field sport events to West Michigan who are drawn to play in this beautiful new venue,” said Guswiler. “Our organization’s mission is also about driving the conversation of sports infrastructure in the region – and the more we have to offer from a venue standpoint, the more events we can host and the more dollars we can pour back into the local economy.”

For more information visit, https://www.westmisports.com/.