19-02-2025
Spending on sports tourism has become a massive part of Rhode Island's economy
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'The economy relies heavily on business booked by the Rhode Island Sports Commission,' Riel said. 'These events are crucial to filling rooms during the winter months when leisure travel is traditionally light.'
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The bigger picture:
Sports was one of the first types of live events that came back strong following the pandemic, and Rhode Island is increasingly becoming a hot spot for the big business that is youth athletics.
The NCAA basketball tournament is the headliner with $3.7 million in projected direct spending, but the USA Gymnastics Championships in June, the Spirit Fest Grand Nationals cheerleading competition in March, and a 4th of July baseball showcase beginning at the end of June are all events that are each expected to generate more than $2.5 million in direct spending.
The Athletic Championships Grand Nationals cheerleading competition and the NIKE VolleyFest were among the big events held this month, the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships is scheduled for next month.
What's next:
Rhode Island wants to be aggressive in courting these kinds of regional and national sporting events – especially as it ramps up to play a significant role in the World Cup in 2026.
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In April, the PWCVB will send a team to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Sports ETA Symposium, an annual event hosted by the Sports Events & Tourism Association. The goal is to position Rhode Island as a premier place to play.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via email Monday through Friday,
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Dan McGowan can be reached at
