Western Mass. sporting events generate more than $4.6 million economic boost

A month of competition is turning into a major economic win for western massachusetts. New data shows four major sporting events held in june generated a multi-million dollar boost. 22 news reporter kaylee thomas is live in studio to break down how that figure was reached. Ciara and Christina, june was a very busy month for sports in the region and a very profitable one for the local economy. Every basket made, finish line crossed and game played locally in the month of june made an impact that stretched well beyond the competition. According to explore western mass, four sporting events generated more than 4.6 million dollars for the regional economy by bringing thousands of athletes, coaches, families and spectators to the area. Those folks are staying in our hotels, they're having meals in our restaurants. When they're not competing or watching people compete, often times they're visiting some of our other major attractions like the seuss museum, the armory, the basketball hall of fame, MGM. The ironman 70.3 western mass triathlon led the way with 2.7 million dollars fueling the local economy. And the first ever made hoops tournament followed, generating another 1.4 million dollars over a three day weekend in western mass. As 400 youth basketball players on over 40 teams from across the globe paid the region a visit. We're able to drive almost 700 room nights to the area for the hotel tax and being able to contribute to the local economy and highlight springfield as the basketball capital. That same momentum carried into hooplandia at the eastern states exposition where a high energy weekend 3 on 3 basketball competition featuring more than 300 teams saw over 15,000 people and brought in 383,000 dollars. It was our best yet, we exceeded expectations on team registrations, we exceeded expectations just in terms of impact on the community The massachusetts state senior games women's softball tournament brought active older adults from across the commonwealth to compete in the area, generating more than 152,000 dollars. Experts say these numbers aren't just helping position western mass as a premier sports destination, they're proving that sporting events don't just bring championships, they bring business, boost the local economy and give visitors another reason to come back. And for explore western mass, the goal is to keep bringing these major events and attracting new ones to the region. So the economic impact continues to grow year after year. Working for you, kaylee thomas, 22 news.