Columbus Set For ‘Record’ Sports Tourism Year
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Columbus Area Visitors Center is expecting sports tourism events this year to generate more than $12 million for the economy. The organization says more than 100 events have already been scheduled for 2014, which could bring nearly 100,000 participants and fans to Bartholomew County. March 17, 2014
News Release
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Already headed toward a record-breaking year for hosting sports tournaments, Columbus and Bartholomew County has been selected to host another, the Big Ten Universities Collegiate Rugby 7's Championship. The premier college rugby event in the Midwest will take place April 19 at the Wigh Stadium Field at the Parkside Soccer Complex.
Columbus Area Visitors Center has scheduled 107 events in 2014, which is an increase of 42 events over 2013, with an expected increase of 31,500 visitors. This year's sports events will bring an estimated 98,500 participants and fans to the community and generate approximately $12.3 million in economic impact.
The events include golf, trap shoots, a marathon and 60 baseball and softball tournaments and now rugby.
“Sports tournaments are big business,” said Lynn Lucas, executive director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center. “We began pursuing governing bodies to host their events several years ago, and after hosting several, the word has gotten out that Columbus has exceptional facilities and is a great location.”
More visitors mean more business for local businesses. On average, visitors spend approximately $72 per person per day at local hotels, restaurants, shops, service stations, and area attractions.
Significant sporting events Columbus will host for the first time in 2014 include:
-Big Ten Universities Collegiate Rugby 7's Championship
-Future Stars of Sports baseball tournament
-Triple Crown Sports' Indy 500 Race to Play baseball tournament
-ATA Southern Zone Trap Shoot
-Youth State Trap Shoot
-Game Day USA Hoosier Super Regional baseball tournament
-Continental Sports Association Slow Pitch Worlds
-Indiana Golf Open Championship
-Redline BMX Cup Qualifier
The following events are returning to Columbus in 2014:
-Second annual Mill Race Marathon
-Under Armour/Jeff Overton Golf Championship
-Indiana Swimming Age Group and Long Course Meet
-United States Specialty Sports Association State Baseball Tournament 13 and under
-Game Day Baseball State Tournament
-Independent Softball Association Senior World Slow Pitch Tournament
-United States Fast Pitch Association State Tournament
For a complete list of events, go to www.columbus.in.us.
Source: Columbus Area Visitors Center