Impact of Sports in Durham
At some point you have likely attended a collegiate or professional sporting event of some kind. Maybe you have taken your kid to compete in a tournament – or been the kid competing in the event.
The thrill of competition needs no explanation from us. But we’re proud to be intentional in sharing the bigger picture and larger impact sports creates on and off the field. When teams or fans stay in a hotel and eat locally owned restaurants, they support jobs, help pay taxes that support local government services that benefit residents and energize the community.
Sports ETA defines the economic impact of sports tourism as the net change in an economy resulting from sporting events and activities. This impact is driven by spending from visitors and businesses and the subsequent ripple effects throughout the local economy.
Sports tourism has shown to be consistent and resilient. During the 2008-2009, recession, youth sports tourism was the only travel sector that didn’t experience a decline. Whether it be for a game, a tournament or a conference, the sports tourism industry creates a significant impact around the country including in Durham. 
Since 2017, the DSC has helped generate over $114 million in economic impact for the Bull City. In 2023, the ACC Baseball Championship alone brought in over $8 million in economic impact, while events like the Russell Blunt East Coast Invitational, a youth track and field event, have brought in over $2 million in economic impact.
Beyond economic impact, the DSC believes in the power that sports can have from a social impact perspective, too. Click below to learn more about the social impact the DSC creates through sports.
