SportBusiness: Vancouver Wins award for ‘Best Quality of Life and Economic Impact’
April 21st, 2016
SportBusiness International, the world’s longest-established publication covering the global industry of sport, has awarded the city of Vancouver “Winner, Best Quality of Life and Economic Impact” in their Ultimate Sports City Awards 2016! More than 150 international cities were nominated for the awards, based on their major event portfolios.
Vancouver: A major event hub and travel destination
According to Destination BC, the tourism industry in Metro Vancouver supports an estimated 66,000-plus jobs, contributes approximately $1.6 billion in taxes, and generates direct visitor spending of around $3.5 billion annually. As recognized by SportBusiness, hosting international sporting events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, HSBC Canada Sevens and several FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches at BC Place Stadium has made a big impact on the amount of visitor spending and the overall economic impact taking place in the city.
Hosting major sporting events boosts BC’s economy
FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015
The month-long FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 hosted at BC Place in June and July generated an estimated $118million in economic impact within British Columbia. An impressive 797,177 international overnight travelers visited BC throughout the month of July - a 9.9% increase from 2014! 542,190 of these travelers arrived from the United States – many of who were in Vancouver to support Team USA in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final on July 5th at BC Place. According to the City of Vancouver, hotel occupancy set new records with 99 per cent of the hotel rooms in the city booked on the night of the championship match!
HSBC Canada Sevens
In March 2016, the inaugural Canada Sevens, part of the World Rugby Sevens Series, generated an estimated $10million+ in economic benefit. Over 60,000 fans took in the weekend-long tournament, setting a new record for attendance at a rugby event in Canada! Many of those visiting traveled to Vancouver from places around the world, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland and Fiji – just to name a few! The annual event is to be held at BC Place for at least four years.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
In a just a year span, a total of three FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches are to be hosted at BC Place Stadium. The growing popularity of Canada’s Men’s National Team has influenced a dramatic jump in attendance numbers for these type of matches – thus an increase in direct spending. A total of 54,798 fans watched team Canada take on Mexico in March 2016 – a new Canadian national record for attendance at a national team event, at home, in any sport!
2014 Grey Cup
The festivities surrounding the Grey Cup Championship in 2014, and the game itself, generated an estimated $108 Million in economic benefit.
Supporting Vancouver’s hospitality industry: Concerts, Consumer Shows and Special Events
BC Place also contributes to the province’s growing economy by hosting some of the world’s biggest events!
Fast Facts:
• 2025 AA Convention – expecting more than 50,000 delegates and an estimated $71 million in direct spending to the city of Vancouver
• Taylor Swift (August 2015) - $11 Million in economic benefit
• AC/DC (September 2015) - $11 Million in economic benefit
• Paul McCartney (2012) – $14 Million in economic benefit
• Taylor Swift c (2012) - $11 Million in economic benefit
• Justin Timberlake with Jay Z – $10 Million in economic benefit
• Roger Waters’ THE WALL – $10 Million in economic benefit
Review: Total economic impact from events at BC Place:
Fiscal 2012/13 estimated $122M.
Fiscal 2013/14 estimated $145M.
Fiscal 2014/15 estimated $122M.
Fiscal 2015/16 is forecast to exceed $180M.