Posted February 07, 2025 in Press Releases
GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS COMMISSION GENERATES $1 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT OVER 25 YEARS
CLEVELAND, OH – Feb. 7, 2025 – Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) announced during the 25th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards that it has generated over $1 billion in economic impact in Northeast Ohio over the past 25 years. This milestone highlights the significant contribution of sports to the local economy and the organization’s success in attracting and hosting major sporting and competition events.
“We are incredibly proud to have generated over $1 billion in economic impact for our community,” said David Gilbert, President & CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, the support of our partners, and the passion of Clevelanders for sports.”
Since 2000, GCSC has attracted over 260 events which have provided significant economic benefits to the region, including:
- MLB All-Star Week (2019)
- NFL Draft (2021)
- NBA All-Star (2022)
- NCAA DI Women’s Final Four (2024)
- Pan-American Masters Games (2024)
These events have brought significant economic benefits to the region, including:
- Generating tax revenue for the city and county to fund schools and libraries, keep our communities safe, maintain our roads and provide services to benefit the community at large.
- Increasing revenue for restaurants, retail and area attractions, which distributes wealth across our region and keeps people working to support themselves and their families.
- Filling our hotels, sports and entertainment venues, which supports the continued growth and vibrancy of our city.
“We are committed to using sports to create a positive impact on the community,” said Gilbert. “GCSC strives to leave a lasting legacy for each event we host and to use as a catalyst for economic development and social change.”
Looking ahead, the GCSC is committed to continuing its efforts to attract and host major sporting events that will benefit the Cleveland community for years to come. A complete list of 2025 awarded events are as follows:
2025
Confirmed Events
Projected Economic Impact
January 11-12, 2025
JVA - Rock 'n Rumble (Weekend 1)
$3,150,000
January 18-19, 2025
JVA - Rock 'n Rumble (Weekend 2)
$3,150,000
February 1-2, 2025
AAU Cleveland Open Grand Prix
$2,700,000
February 15-17, 2025
Nike North Coast Cup
$4,000,000
March 7-9, 2025
USA Fencing March North American Cup
$3,700,000
March 15-16, 2025
Nike Shamrock Showdown
$3,600,000
March 21-23, 2025
NCAA DI Men's Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds
$8,000,000
April 11-13, 2025
Dru Joyce Classic
$2,000,000
April 23-27, 2025
USA Artistic Swimming U.S. 13-15 Championship & 12U Championship
$725,000
April 26-27, 2025
Nike Open
$3,600,000
May 22-24, 2025
NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field
$2,000,000
May 30 - June 1, 2025
USA Wrestling UWW Cadet & U20 Nationals
$1,500,000
May 29-June 6, 2025
NCAA DIII Baseball
$500,000
August 16-23, 2025
Tennis in the Land - WTA 250 Event
$2,100,000
December 6-7, 2025
Nike Freeze Fest
$3,100,000
December 12-14, 2025
Pickle in the Land
$250,000
2025 Total Projected Economic Impact: $44,075,000