Economic Impact Report Released for 110th Grey Cup

The 110th Grey Cup was a massive success for the CFL, the city of Hamilton and Canada, generating $73.5 million in economic activity.

The 110th Grey Cup produced one of the best season-ending games in recent CFL memory, concluding in a Montreal Alouettes 28-24 upset win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. While the on-field product was a hit, the off-the-field activities were a big success for Canada’s economy as well.

Commissioned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the CFL with STC’s economic impact team assisting with the surveying, the Grey Cup produced $73.5 million over the six-day event. That includes the following findings:

• $61.5 million in overall economic activity in Ontario

• 310 local jobs supported by the Grey Cup resulting in $18.4 million in wages and salaries

• 64 percent of the 1,151 people surveyed said the Grey Cup was their sole reason for visiting Hamilton

• 42 percent of attendees traveled to the event outside of Hamilton

The 110th #GreyCup and the 2023 @GreyCupFestival generated over $73.5 million in total economic activity in Canada according to a study by Sport Tourism Canada.

Full details ⬇️

— CFL Communications (@CFL_PR) March 12, 2024

“The 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton and the 2023 Grey Cup Festival set a new standard of excellence for how Canada’s biggest football game should be delivered. These numbers show that regionalizing the festivities not only supported local economies in both Hamilton and the Niagara region, but they also offered a better experience for fans who traveled from all across Canada.”

- Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

Over six days, 223,216 people attended the festival. The 33,835 people who visited the region spent an average of 3.4 days in Hamilton. The festival was the largest regionalization in Grey Cup history, with 42 events occurring around the area.

“Throughout Grey Cup Week and, of course, our championship game, I had the privilege of speaking with fans, families, alumni, players, out-of-town visitors, Hamiltonians and community leaders from across the region. The results of this study echo everything I heard during that remarkable week in November – that this was a truly special and unforgettable celebration of our great game. I applaud our tremendous event organizers and staff, and especially the many volunteers, for all their incredible work in creating an event that mirrored the unbelievable passion and pride that our country has for Canadian football."

- CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie

The event has been nominated as a finalist for the Sport Tourism Canada Prestige Awards in the category of Canadian Sport Event of the Year with a budget greater than $1 million.

The 2024 Grey Cup will be taking place in Vancouver, British Columbia on November 17.

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