Will Smith of East Grand Rapids throws toward first base during the finals of snowball softball at Art Van Sports Complex in the Meijer Winter State Games of Michigan, Rockford, Mich., Saturday, February 21, 2015. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) MLive.comMLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) announced 2024 was the highest in the organization’s 17-year history for visitor spending during 112 youth and amateur sporting events.
Events last year attracted an estimated 282,170 athletes and visitors while filling 49,975 sports-related hotel room bookings, a news release stated.
“The WMSC’s primary mission is to be an economic generator for West Michigan through sports tourism, and this past year demonstrates the power of youth and amateur sports in driving the local economy,” Mike Guswiler, WMSC president, said in a statement. “It is clear through our record-breaking estimated economic impact in 2024 that sports tourism only continues to grow in significance for our region.”
The $90.8 million in direct visitor spending for West Michigan is a 65% gain from 2019. It also experienced a record year for the Meijer Sports Complex at $9.3 million in estimated economic impact – up 7.4% annually, in addition to the celebration of its 15th anniversary, which led to an economic boost rebounding to pre-pandemic levels.
Founded in 2007 to harness some of the national youth and amateur sports industry to the region, the nonprofit has booked 1,328 sporting events and tournaments that attracted more than 2.4 million athletes and visitors, generating over $738 million in estimated economic impact.
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In June 2024, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority Board of Directors voted that ASM Global, which will manage the new Amway Stadium on the west side of Grand Rapids, will work with the WMSC on a booking policy for the $175 million, 8,500-seat soccer stadium, which is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
The commission will begin bidding on regional and national field sports tournaments that can be hosted at Amway Stadium when not used by the MLS NEXT Pro soccer team for its games. Stadium developer Grand Action 2.0 estimates that 17 professional soccer matches can be hosted at the stadium annually, with the opportunity for an additional 50-plus events to be held there annually.
“We see a tremendous opportunity with Amway Stadium to attract more prestigious field sports events to West Michigan, which is drawn to play in this beautiful new venue,” said Guswiler. “Our organization’s mission is also about driving the conversation of sports infrastructure in the region – and the more we have to offer from a venue standpoint, the more events we can host and the more dollars we can pour back into the local economy.”
Looking into 2025, the commission is focused on continuing to increase the number of traveling athletes, visitors, and related hotel revenue and visitor spending, as well as bidding on more marquee events and beyond.
A focal point will be the construction of the Meijer Sports Complex, which broke ground in October. Approximately $500,000 remains to be raised through the Winning Streak capital campaign to expand the complex, which will generate an estimated additional $1 million in annual visitor spending through 200 more teams accommodated.
The improvement phase began following the 2024 season with the installation of synthetic turf to the championship baseball field and the resurfacing of Nate Hurwitz Miracle Field, providing 10 more years of play for more than 130 children with physical and cognitive disabilities annually. The expansion portion begins in this month and is estimated to be completed the following year.
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Here’s a look at the events the WMSC is hosting this year:
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