Huntsville sets new sports tourism record with $50M economic impact
Huntsville Achieves Tourism Milestone with Record Sports Events in 2024
Huntsville, often known as Rocket City, is celebrating an impressive feat in sports tourism, having set a new record in 2024 by hosting 68 events that generated over $50 million in economic impact. Joel Lamp, sports development manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, highlighted the extensive efforts of the sports tourism team and the significance of this milestone in fostering the local economy.
Among the highlights, the city reported that 21 events each contributed at least $1 million, with the Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball championships, held for the first time in Huntsville, accounting for a significant $3.2 million. Mark Russell, executive director of the Huntsville Sports Commission, expressed excitement over the community’s response and emphasized the importance of these events in elevating Huntsville’s profile.
The year also saw substantial tourism results, including the generation of 76,000 hotel room nights and $3.8 million in city taxes. Key events included the USA Table Tennis National Championships, the NCAA Division II Cross Country South Regional, and the sold-out Huntsville Marathon with 4,000 participants. The successful hosting of these events has not only showcased Huntsville as a sports destination but has also earned recognition from Sports Destination Management magazine, cementing the city’s reputation in the sports tourism landscape and paving the way for future growth.
Read the complete article here: https://www.apr.org/news/2025-01-28/huntsville-sets-new-sports-tourism-record-with-50m-economic-impact
