Vice Mayor Maria G. Marino
Sports have long been regarded as more than just games; they are economic engines that power communities. Beyond the thrill of competition and the camaraderie it fosters, sports profoundly impact the economic landscape of counties, promoting tourism, generating revenue, creating jobs and boosting local businesses. Palm Beach County is unrivaled in golf, racquet sports, equestrian sports and baseball amenities. The Sports Business Journal has recognized The Palm Beaches as one of the top 50 sports destinations in the United States and No. 5 for a destination without a professional sports franchise.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission (PBCSC) is dedicated to championing our county as the premier destination for sports and tourism. Their mission is to attract sporting events and activities to Palm Beach County and maximize these events' positive economic impact on our local economy. By expanding occupancy of hotel room nights and optimizing the use of county facilities, PBCSC utilizes events and activities to promote the image of Palm Beach County as a sports tourism destination on a national and international level.
In 2023, PBCSC hosted 196 events, which represented more than 40 different types of sports. These events brought nearly 1.3 million sports-related attendees who traveled from 48 states and 42 nations. The same attendees utilized over 300,000 room nights, translating to over $77 million in hotel revenue with an estimated $4.6 million collected in bed tax. Additionally, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Major League Baseball Spring Training utilized an additional 96,000 room nights. These sports events created an estimated $300 million economic impact in Palm Beach County.
This past year has positioned Palm Beach County at the top of the sports spectrum. As Florida's Golf Capital, the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, NCAA DI Women's Golf Championship and the Jackson T. Stephens Cup call Palm Beach County home. Palm Beach County hosted the best of racquet sports with international tennis and pickleball events, and equestrian sports continue to thrive with Wellington's Winter Equestrian Festival. PBCSC partnered with the United States Polo Association to bring the FIP World Polo Championships to the National Polo Center and the United States for only the second time. Jupiter's Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium hosts the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins each year for their Major League Baseball Spring Training, and CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach hosts the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.
As Palm Beach County residents, we know how truly valuable our location in the country is. With an average year-round temperature of 78 degrees, 47 miles of breathtaking beaches, over 160 golf courses, 45 parks with vast multi-purpose playing fields, and more than 346 acres of polo and equestrian facilities, it is no wonder that Palm Beach County continues to increase its sports tourism economic impact.
For more information on ways to experience sports in Palm Beach County, please visit www.palmbeachsports.com/events.
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