The West Michigan Sports Commission reported that youth/amateur sports tourism generated $87.9 million in estimated economic impact for the region in 2023 through 121 events – the second highest year in the organization’s 16-year history and a 60 percent gain from five years ago in 2019.
It also saw a 7.1 percent increase in the number of events from 2022 and 22 percent increase from 2019, plus a 9.2 percent increase in athletes/visitors from 2022 and 21 percent increase from 2019.
“We closed one of the best years in our organization’s history for growing our region’s economy through sport,” said Mike Guswiler, president of the WMSC. “Clearly, sports tourism is a key economic lever for West Michigan.”
The WMSC was founded in 2007 as an economic generator to harness some of the $39.7 billion national youth and amateur sports industry for the region. Since its inception, the WMSC has booked 1,216 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 2.1 million athletes and visitors, generating over $649 million in estimated economic impact.
The WMSC tracked the following 2023 highlights:
– Near-record estimated economic impact plus increased events and athletes/visitors – Last year, 121 sporting events generated $87.9 million in estimated economic impact, attracting 277,980 athletes/visitors while filling 43,775 hotel room nights.
– Highest estimated economic impact for Meijer Sports Complex – The 2023 baseball/softball season was the strongest yet in estimated economic impact at $8.7 million from hosting 21 tournaments and 29,302 athletes/spectators who booked 4,450 hotel nights. It also raised $6.3 million in public/private funds toward the $11 million capital campaign to expand the complex.
– Record estimated economic impact for Meijer State Games of Michigan – Summer and Winter Games held 60 events attracting 8,700 athletes and generating the highest estimated economic impact in its history at $3.1 million.
