Sports marketing grants announced by Shapiro Administration

The 2024 U.S. Women’s Open in Lancaster, the 2025 U.S. Men’s Open in Oakmont, and the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia prove that Pennsylvania is a destination for world class sporting events. 

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced that the application period for grants through DCED’s Sports Marketing and Tourism (SMAT) Program has opened and will run through June 30 at 4 p.m. EST.

“This is an exciting time for Pennsylvania as we prepare to host a number of incredibly exciting events in the coming years, including the 2026 World Cup, the 2024 USGA Women’s Open, and the 2025 USGA Men’s Open,” Siger said in a statement. “SMAT is helping to bring major events like these to the Commonwealth, providing a huge boost to our economy. With the new application period opening up, we look forward to supporting even more major sporting events here in the coming years.”

SMAT has helped bring nationally known sporting events to Pennsylvania and is seeking to attract more marquee sporting events to the commonwealth to drive tourism and economic growth. According to a release, “the goal of the investment in the program is to capitalize on the influx of tourism that comes with hosting a major national or international event, which can increase sales to both large and small businesses in the surrounding area and in turn boost the regional economy, as well as improve the quality of life for residents.”

Applicants eligible for the program include a municipality, a local authority, a nonprofit organization, or a legal entity that meets the following criteria:

• The applicant participates or plans to participate in a competitive selection process. 
• The site selection process is conducted by a Site Selection Organization not located in Pennsylvania. 
• The applicant is seeking to secure a single year or multiyear commitment from a site selection organization to conduct high quality, amateur and professional sporting, or esports events at one or more locations in Pennsylvania. 

DCED announced last September $5 million in grant funding. Recipients included the 2024 U.S. Open in Lancaster, the United States Golf Association for the 2025 U.S. Men’s Open in Oakmont, and Philadelphia Soccer for the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia.