SportsPITTSBURGH Supported Events Generate $20 Million in Estimated Visitor Spending throughout First Quarter
Events on the docket for Q2 expected to drive an additional $34 million in visitor spending
PITTSBURGH – The City of Champions is off to a strong start for 2024. SportsPITTSBURGH today released preliminary first quarter results and a second quarter preview that together estimate more than $66 million in direct visitor spending across Allegheny County.
From January through March of 2024, SportsPITTSBURGH supported events welcomed approximately 43,000 attendees, 25,600 out-of-town visitors and generated $20 million in estimated visitor spending.
“The first quarter is only just the beginning of an exciting year of sports,” said Jennifer Hawkins, Executive Director of SportsPITTSBURGH. “From youth sporting events to collegiate tournaments, our team is fortunate to work with partners throughout the region to ensure Pittsburgh remains a top sports destination, and our collective efforts continue to result in major payoffs for the community.”
The second quarter of tracked sporting events is already underway, with April through June events expected to welcome 111,700 attendees and generate $46 million in estimated visitor spending into the region’s economy.
“Over the next three months, Pittsburgh will host a variety of fan-favorite events and new and emerging sports,” Hawkins added. “From the return of the DICK’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon to the USA Weightlifting National Championship, these events draw tens of thousands of visitors and generate a real, lasting impact in our region.”
The strong line-up of 2024 events has put Pittsburgh on the radar of Sports Business Journal, who dubbed Pittsburgh as a ‘Ones to Watch’ city, touting events such as the 2024 National Sports Forum, First and Second Rounds of March Madness, along with future events like the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship in 2025 and the first-ever combined NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship in 2026.
“Pittsburgh is located within one of the most competitive sports tourism markets, and I’m proud of the work our team has done to carve out our niche for key traditional sports, while welcoming new and emerging sports—like women’s hockey and boys’ volleyball—to our city as well,” said Hawkins. “We have a diverse portfolio of events that is constantly evolving, and our city’s neighborly nature, sports expertise and standout venues make us a strong contender for event planners and major events.”
From an all-new boys’ volleyball tournament to globally watched March Madness, Q1 sports took Pittsburgh by storm.
The year began with the return of the 2024 Nike Steel City Freeze and first annual Nike Steel City Freeze Boys Championships to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC). Together, these tournaments brought in a record 648 teams and 20,000 estimated attendees for a combined $6.8 million in estimated visitor spending.
“Pittsburgh is a sports town and is no stranger to hosting a major athletic competition like we put together in February,” said Tim Keating, Co-Owner of GK Sports. “The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, hotels and SportsPITTSBURGH are tremendous partners in the overall success of the two events.”
The MyHockey Tournament Series, which has called Pittsburgh home for the last 10 years, hosts seven events and more than 300 youth hockey teams annually. This February, play returned to Ice Castle Arena, as the tournaments hosted approximately 4,000 attendees for an estimated $2.4 million in visitor spending.
The first quarter ended strong as Duquesne University, alongside SportsPITTSBURGH, hosted the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds at PPG Paints Arena. This marked the tournament’s fifth return to Pittsburgh since 2012. This year’s tournament drew crowds of 18,000+ fans for all three sessions and generated an estimated $9.7 million in visitor spending.
Additionally, Duquesne Athletics’ Men’s Basketball team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 47 years. This resulted in additional national exposure for Pittsburgh throughout March Madness as a destination for primetime collegiate basketball.
Pittsburgh’s momentum in sports continues throughout Q2 with the return of fan-favorite spectator events, growing youth tournaments and new national championships.
April is off to a swift start thanks to back-to-back youth basketball tournaments at the DLCC. The Western PA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic returned Downtown for its fourth consecutive year and welcomed a record 335 teams that will generate an estimated $4.4 million in visitor spending.
Following, basketball will continue at the DLCC with Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest, a youth boys basketball tournament that has been hosted in Pittsburgh every year since 2006. This year’s event is expected to draw 475 teams and an estimated 7,600 attendees.
The first Sunday in May marks the return of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend. This year, an anticipated 42,000+ runners will gather throughout Downtown with the event generating an estimated $11.6 million in direct spending. The 26.2-mile distance is already sold-out due to a record year of registrations. In addition, 2024 will be the first year of the U.S. Steel Pittsburgh Champions Mile, an untimed and inclusive event supporting families and friends living with disabilities.
Rounding out the second quarter, Pittsburgh will host the 2024 USA Weightlifting National Championships and the USA Judo Junior Olympics at the end of June. Together, these prestigious events are set to secure another 5,800 estimated attendees as athletes strive for gold in the City of Champions.
To see a full calendar of 2024 events, visit SportsPITTSBURGH.com.