Virginia ranks 10th nationally in economic impact of sports tourism

Henrico Sports and Events Center. (Courtesy Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority)

Virginia has been ranked 10th in the nation on a Sports ETA list of top U.S. states for the economic impact of sports tourism.

The report, which was released at a recent symposium, found that sports tourism across the U.S. contributed a total of $128 billion to the economy, with Virginia generating $2.7 billion of that amount. Sports ETA is the trade association for the sports events and tourism industry.

“We are thrilled to see Virginia’s sports tourism industry be acknowledged as one of the best in the country,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Accolades such as this show the significant impact sports tourism has on the economic growth of the Commonwealth by creating job opportunities, driving development in new infrastructure and venues, increasing tax revenue, and boosting local businesses in the area.”

Nationally, the sports tourism industry supports 757,600 full- and part-time jobs, according to the study.

In Henrico, officials have made attracting sports tourism revenue a focal point for a number of years. Outdoor sports tourism in the county generated about $65 million in economic impact last year, according to the Henrico Economic Development Authority, and the recent opening of the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Glen Allen has given the county a prominent indoor space to attract a plethora of additional events.

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