KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Sports tourism’s economic impact in Kalamazoo, Mich., surged past pre-pandemic levels last year.
According to an article from Mlive.com, Discover Kalamazoo, the city’s destination marketing organization, 2022 was a record year for sports tourism, bringing in $28.7 million in economic impact.
In all, there were more than 60 sporting events in the city, bringing in about 36,000 athletes from across the country.
Brian Persky, director of business development at Discover Kalamazoo, says the city has some of the most respected youth sports organizations in the United States, something he says is highly beneficial for the local sports tourism industry.
Just a few of the highly successful sports events in Kalamazoo last year include:
- Midwest & Pacific Coast Synchronized Sectional Championships from Jan. 25 to 29 at Wings Event Center, brought in nearly 2,500 attendees. The overall estimated economic impact was $3,688,772, including a total of 2,800 hotel rooms booked.
- USA Hockey Youth Tier II 14U National Championships, held March 30 to April 4 at Wings Event Center and Wings West, brought in nearly 1,300 attendees. A total of 3,100 hotel room nights were booked for the event and the estimated direct economic impact was $2,059,177.
- USTA (United States Tennis Association) Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championship from Aug. 5 to 14 at Kalamazoo College’s Stowe Stadium, brought in nearly 600 attendees. Overall, the estimated direct economic impact is $1,357,589.
The article states Discover Kalamazoo will continue to put a priority on sports tourism in the area moving forward.
“As we look to the future, our goal is to continue building upon a strong foundation of annual and recurring sports events in our community as well as look at ways to diversify what sports events we attempt to bring to the community,” Persky told Mlive.com.
Kalamazoo is set to host a wealth of sports events in 2023, including the 2023 USA Curling Mixed Doubles National Championship, the 2023 Can-Am Softball Tournament, and The USTA Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championships will also be returning to the city for the 80th consecutive year.
