Orlando Earns Title of Best Sports Business City for Event Attraction
The Sports Business Journal (SBJ) has released its highly anticipated 2024 Best Sports Business Cities (BSBC) rankings, offering an in-depth analysis of U.S. cities that have excelled in attracting and hosting a diverse range of sporting events. This year’s rankings reflect the thriving sports travel and tourism sector, marked by significant investments, increased bids for sporting events, and a surge in municipal funding dedicated to event attraction.
The announcement took place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, one of over 35 sports venues located in the expansive Orlando area. The 2024 BSBC list underscores cities’ prowess in event hosting, and after meticulous research, Orlando has emerged as SBJ’s top choice for Best Sports Business City for Attracting Events. The rankings showcase Orlando’s remarkable achievements and its unique landscape, highlighting the city’s pivotal role in the dynamic sports business industry’s growth.
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“Orlando’s elevation to the top spot in this year’s rankings is a testament to the vibrant collaboration between world-class venues, dedicated sports commissions, and the enthusiastic community that makes Orlando a standout destination for sports business,” said Abe Madkour, publisher and executive editor at SBJ. “Congratulations to Orlando and all the cities on the list who are making such a positive business impact in their local markets and nationwide.”
These rankings are the result of an extensive database, including 1,500 events that took place or were awarded from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2023, while considering cities with their own convention space, sports venues, and dedicated sports commission/CVB staff as stand-alone markets.
Orlando’s ascent to the top position is due to the concerted and strategic effort to create a premier destination for sports events. The Greater Orlando Sports Commission has played a pivotal role, working to attract and host myriad events, from NCAA competition in various sports to major league championships and industry conferences.
“Thanks to the power of partnerships, we’ve worked to make Orlando the nation’s premier sports event destination. We recognize that sports have the power to bring residents together, provide memorable experiences, showcase our city’s hospitality and vibrancy and drive economic growth by helping welcome more visitors to our region,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “This recognition from the Sports Business Journal highlights the important role that sports plays in our community and is something that all of Orlando can be proud of.”
“I am thrilled and honored that Orlando has been recognized as the #1 Best Sports Business City for Attracting and Hosting Events in the nation. This is a testament to our world-class venues, our diverse and talented workforce, and our vibrant and resilient community,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “Orlando is not only the ultimate destination for visitors, but also a premier location for sports events, teams, and businesses. We will continue to invest in our infrastructure, our people, and our partnerships to ensure that Orlando and Orange County remain the leaders in sports business for years to come.”
“On behalf of the Chairman of our Board, Sharon Line Clary, the 119 board members at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and our partners at the City of Orlando and Lake, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties, thank you to Abe and the leadership team at Sports Business Journal for recognizing our inclusive and collaborate sports tourism community,” said Jason Siegel, President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Being at the forefront of event hosting is not just an honor for us; it’s a reflection of our dedication to providing athletes, fans, and stakeholders with exceptional experiences and world-class hospitality.”
Rounding out the top five cities are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Indianapolis. Each of these markets has a dynamic mix of events that serve sports industry.
The full list and the methodology behind their rankings can be found in the March 18, 2024, edition of Sports Business Journal.
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