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World Cup soccer is one of several international and national sporting events to be hosted by Pennsylvania. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Millions allotted to attract major sporting events to Pa.
Ed Gruver//September 7, 2023
Seeking to bring nationally known sporting events to Pennsylvania, $5 million in grants are being awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Sports Marketing and Tourism Program.
Funding was announced Thursday by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger.
The Ironman Triathlon, U.S. Open women’s and men’s golf, and World Cup, scheduled to take place in Pennsylvania this year and over the next three years, are all expected to greatly impact the state’s economy.
“Pennsylvania is hosting a series of incredibly exciting events in the coming years, and I’m thrilled that we can support some of them through this program,” Siger said in a statement.
The Sports Marketing and Tourism Program was established to attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to Pennsylvania. Investment in the program is geared to capitalizing on increased tourism that accompanies the hosting of major national or international sporting events.
Program grants have been awarded to the following organizations:
- Happy Valley Adventure Bureau was awarded $70,000 for the 2023 Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in State College.
- The United States Golf Association (USGA) was awarded a total of $2.43 million; $1.215 million for the 2025 United States Men’s Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont and $1.215 for the 2024 United States Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster.
- Philadelphia Soccer was awarded $2.5 million for the 2026 World Cup, with matches to be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
“The commonwealth will be at the center of the sports world at events like the 2026 World Cup, where it’s estimated at least 450,000 people will visit our state from around the world, providing a tremendous boost to the economy,” said Siger.
