By Casey Conlon, Sports Tourism Director for Visit Billings
In 2023, the total direct spending impact of the sports tourism sector was $52.2 billion, according to leading organization Sports ETA. Add in the more than 750,000 jobs supported and over $20 billion in taxes generated, and Sports Tourism’s total economic impact was measured at $128 billion.
Simply put, for a city to continue to thrive and grow, it must consider sports tourism in its future.
Billings: A Hub for Sports Tourism
Billings is already making it part of the conversation. Sports fans mark their calendars every year for MHSA State wrestling and basketball tournaments, NCAA and NAIA regional and national events, and the longest-running PBR Unleash the Beast stop on bull riding’s top tour.
Local Sports Attractions
In the summer, the Billings Mustangs have thrilled baseball fans for more than 75 years, and Dehler Park has consistently been named one of the top minor league ballparks in the country since opening in 2008. Yellowstone County has been at the center of golf’s rise in popularity, with 10 different courses in a 30-mile radius. And then there’s the biggest reason that keeps people coming back to Montana: the great outdoors, complete with endless recreational activities like fishing, rafting, running, biking, and many more.
Expanding Sports Facilities
As the city grows, so too does its capacity for sports facilities and venues. Last month, the Yellowstone Ice Foundation broke ground on a new state-of-the-art two-sheet ice rink facility at the Amend Park Recreation Campus. Next door, a new indoor courts facility is in the works. MetraPark is bringing back an outdoor rodeo arena, making its debut with the brand-new Rodeo Billings during MontanaFair this August. And improvements will soon be made to Daylis Stadium for events throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Billings’ Unique Position
Billings is uniquely positioned to be the sports tourism hub of our region. No other city within a 500-mile radius boasts the combination of facilities, hotel capacity and recreation opportunities that we do. Now is the perfect time to cement Billings as the Sports Capital of the Treasure State!
