A Game Changer

Sports tourism is a win for Delaware

BY JESSICA WELCH

EVERY WEEKEND in the spring and summer months, thousands of people travel to Delaware to attend or participate in a sporting event at one of our state’s premier sports facilities. Those travelers stay in our hotels, support local restaurants and businesses, and have a positive impact on the local and state economy.

A decade ago, sports tourism was not a leading economic driver in Delaware, but in recent years, the impact of sports tourism on the state and the region has grown exponentially. The Sports Events and Tourism Association estimates that in 2023, the total economic impact of the sports tourism sector in the U.S. was $128 billion. In Delaware, sports tourism has generated at least $100 million in overall economic impact since 2019 and helped spur development throughout the state, including construction of at least 10 hotels since 2022.

Since adding a full-time sports tourism staff member to the Delaware Tourism Office in August 2019, we have attracted several events to the state, educated the hospitality industry on the sports tourism ecosystem, and cultivated relationships with sports event owners across the country so that Delaware stays top of mind when deciding on a home for their events.

The completion of DE Turf in Frederica and the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, as well as events held at other long-standing facilities like Sports at the Beach in Georgetown, contributed significantly to the growth of sports tourism in Delaware in recent years. These facilities and others in the state have hosted several national sports tournaments that bring visitors from around the country to Delaware.

Sports tourism has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, positively impact the economy, and grow communities throughout the state in the years to come.

Additionally, we have hosted several new events in Delaware within the past few years, including the state’s first PGA Tour event—the BMW Championship in August 2022—which brought more than 123,000 spectators to Wilmington and generated millions in economic impact.

In 2023, the Capital Improvement Committee created the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund with a $12 million allocation, the first major financial investment by the state in this growing industry. The fund provides support to facilities throughout Delaware who host sports events that bring in out-of-state visitors. Our office accepted applications for the fund in April and received an overwhelming response. Eighteen applications were submitted requesting more than $54 million. This fund will help our state remain competitive as other facilities are planned in nearby states.

As this sector continues to grow, businesses throughout Delaware can tap into the industry’s success by providing sponsorships for sports events or facilities. By coordinating with a facility near their place of business, restaurants can explore offering discounts or team-friendly menus for tournament weekends. Hotels can plan for block group rates and identify nearby activities. Retail shops can offer discounts to visitors. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Sports tourism has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, positively impact the economy, and grow communities throughout the state in the years to come. It’s up to all of us to support this industry and encourage its continued success in Delaware.

Jessica Welch is the director of the Delaware Tourism Office.