We know that sports events can bring in hundreds of visitors and thousands of dollars to a host city, but the 2013 National Senior Games became a gold medal winner for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

According to a recent study by the Kent State University Department of Economics, the National Senior Games contributed a $36 million jump in the economy for Northeast Ohio, about $1 million more than had been projected.

The study shows that most of the spending was at area hotels and restaurants, with an average of $681.69 per person at hotels and $407.52 at area restaurants. Local retail outlets also reflected the guest spending, with more than $120 per person spent at retail shops and $113 on area entertainment.

Also, the study found that the event increased local wage earnings by more than $14 million.

The Kent State study also asked visitors their perceptions of the Cleveland  area, with 80 percent of those responding saying they left with a more positive impression of the city.

“The 2013 National Senior Games was a tremendous success on every level,” David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Sports Commission said in a statement.

Nearly 11,000 athletes age 50 and older competed in 19 sports at venues across northeast Ohio in late July and early August. Those athletes also brought about 18,000 friends and family members to the games with them.

For more information on the current RFP to host the National Senior Games, visit our website:

Event Year: 2017
Event Name: 2017/2019 National Senior Games
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http://www.sportscommissions.org/Research/Event-RFP-Database