DOVER, Del.—The Delaware Tourism Office (DTO) announced a new grant program called the Tournaments, Events, and Athletic Meets Sponsorship (TEAMS) Program, designed to expand the office’s resources in recruiting sporting events to Delaware.
The program aims to attract new regional, national, and international sporting events at amateur, collegiate, and professional levels while ensuring that current sports events maintain their place and continue to grow in Delaware.
“Sports tourism represents a $128 billion global industry, with Delaware’s sports events bringing in millions of dollars and drawing thousands of visitors each year,” says secretary of state Jeff Bullock. “It is important that we not only keep and grow sports events the State presently hosts but also attract brand new events that further contribute to our state and local economy.”
The TEAMS program is open to both new events and existing Delaware events seeking to expand or enhance their offerings. This initiative will continue Delaware’s efforts to support sporting events that increase the number of overnight stays, provide a positive impact on the state, and promote regional or national media coverage of sports tourism in Delaware.
“This program is critical to enhancing the growth of Delaware’s sports tourism industry and maintaining our state’s competitive edge on a national scale,” says Delaware Tourism Office Director Jessica Welch. “When event owners consider holding a sports tournament in Delaware, they often ask if our office has financial incentives or other programs that could help offset the cost of hosting these large-scale events.”
Applications for the TEAMS Program are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will be reviewed in the order in which they are received until available funds are depleted. DTO will review applications within 30 days of receipt and estimate the anticipated economic impact of the event to determine the financial incentive provided. For more information, visit VisitDelaware.com or call 866-284-7483
