20+ Sport Tourism Statistics: Trends and Insights [2025]

Sports tourism is booming. In value terms, the market is already well over half-a-trillion dollars and growing fast.

One leading forecast pegs sports tourism at $618.7B in 2024, racing toward $2.09T by 2032 (CAGR ~16.4%). In Europe, UEFA EURO 2024 alone generated €7.44B in economic impact across Germany’s ten host cities.

Mega-events continue to move the needle. Paris 2024 drew about 11.2M visitors across Greater Paris during the Games window, and card-spend data showed +42% more tourists in the first week vs. 2023.

France’s central bank estimates the Olympics added ~0.25 percentage points to Q3 2024 GDP.

What are the headline sport tourism numbers?

• Market size & growth: Sports tourism valued at $544.4B (2023), $618.7B (2024), projected $2.09T (2032); CAGR ~16.4%.
• Another view: Market valued $587.9B (2022), to $2.14T (2030); CAGR ~17.5%.
• U.S. spectator sports tourism (2024): $47.1B direct spend → $114.4B total economic impact.
• UEFA EURO 2024 (Germany): €7.44B impact; 2.7M ticket holders (44% from abroad).
• Paris 2024: ~11.2M visitors in metro area during the Games; +42% tourist growth in week one (card data).
• Super Bowl LVIII (Las Vegas, 2024): ~$1B local economic impact; avg. $2,660 spend per visiting fan.
• F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: $1.5B impact in 2023; $934M in 2024 (second year).
• Rugby World Cup 2023 (France): €871M net input; €1.8B spend.

Context: Travel & tourism overall is set to contribute $11.7T to global GDP in 2025 (≈10.3% of the world economy), providing a strong tailwind for sports-led trips.

How big is the sports tourism market—and how fast is it growing?

Multiple independent firms track this space; their scopes differ, but they all show double-digit growth through the decade.

Global Market Growth (selected forecasts)

Methodologies vary (segments included, direct vs. packaged travel), but the direction is clear: rapid expansion fueled by mega-events, new venues, and fan travel culture.

Which mega-events move the needle the most?

Mega-events pack a short, powerful punch—ticketed fans, fan-zones, hospitality, and broadcast-driven visits.

Recent Mega-Event Impacts

Note: Some economists caution that headline figures can reflect gross activity rather than net gains for residents after displacement and public costs. It’s wise to read each study’s methodology.

🇺🇸 How is sports tourism shaping the U.S. travel economy?

The U.S. is the world’s largest travel & tourism market, and sports is a major slice. In 2024, spectator sports tourism generated $47.1B in direct spending and $114.4B in total impact, per Sports ETA’s State of the Industry.

Las Vegas illustrates the new sports-city model: Super Bowl LVIII delivered ~$1B in local impact, and the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix contributed $934M in 2024 (after $1.5B in 2023 which included large one-time investments).

🇪🇺 What did Paris 2024 and EURO 2024 mean for European tourism?

• Paris 2024: About 11.2M visitors across Greater Paris during the Games; Visa reported +42% more tourists in week one vs. 2023. France’s central bank estimates a ~0.25 pp GDP lift in Q3 2024 from the Games.
• EURO 2024: €7.44B in economic impact; heavy international mix among ticket holders; strong public-transport usage by fans.

Paris also put sustainability on the stage, reporting a 54.6% lower carbon footprint vs. London 2012 & Rio 2016 averages (scope 1–3, including spectator travel).

What trends will shape sports tourism next?

• Big-event pipelines: FIFA World Cup 2026 (North America) and LA28 keep demand primed. (Context from global recovery and event calendars.)
• Short-break fan trips: High spend per night around single events (Super Bowl, F1) vs. classic week-long vacations.
• Sustainability & legacy: Hosts increasingly target measurable carbon cuts and post-event venue use, as Paris 2024 emphasized.
• Data-driven planning: Card-spend and mobility data (e.g., Visa) now quantify real-time tourism surges and help cities adjust.

FAQ: Sport Tourism

How big is sports tourism right now?

Estimates vary by scope, but credible trackers place it at $544–619B in 2023–2024, with paths to ~$2T early next decade.

Which recent event had the biggest economic impact?

In Europe, EURO 2024 delivered €7.44B across Germany. In the U.S., Super Bowl LVIII was about $1B for Las Vegas, while F1 Las Vegas added $934M in 2024.

Did the Paris Olympics actually boost tourism?

Yes. The city counted ~11.2M visitors during the Games window; card data showed +42% more tourists in week one vs. 2023. France’s central bank estimates a ~0.25 pp GDP boost in Q3 2024.

Are these impact figures always “real money” for locals?

Not always. Some studies quote gross activity and include one-time investments; economists suggest checking the methodology to gauge net local gains.

Sources

1. Fortune Business Insights — Sports Tourism Market Size & Forecast (2024–2032)
2. Grand View Research — Sports Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends (to 2030)
3. Grand View Research (Press) — Market to Reach $2.14 Trillion by 2030
4. Sports ETA — 2024 State of the Industry (Spectator Sports Tourism)
5. UEFA — EURO 2024 Generates €7.44bn Impact
6. Paris je t’aime (Tourism Office) — Preliminary Tourism Report: Paris 2024
7. Visa (Press Release) — Paris 2024: +42% More Tourists (Week One)
8. Banque de France — Paris 2024 GDP Impact (~0.25 pp)
9. US Chamber of Commerce — Super Bowl’s Economic Impact (Las Vegas, 2024)
10. Forbes — Super Bowl LVIII: ~$1B Impact; Avg. Spend
11. Applied Analysis (PDF) — F1 Las Vegas GP 2024: $934M Impact
12. World Rugby / EY (Media) — Rugby World Cup 2023: €1.8B Spend; €871M Net Input
13. WTTC — Global Travel & Tourism to Reach New Heights in 2025
14. Paris 2024 (Press) — Carbon Footprint: –54.6% vs. 2012/2016 Average