DOVER, DE — The Delaware Tourism Office (DTO) has launched an innovative grant program named the Tournaments, Events, and Athletic Meets Sponsorship (TEAMS) Program. This initiative aims to amplify Delaware’s efforts in attracting regional, national, and international sporting events, spanning amateur, collegiate, and professional levels. It also seeks to bolster existing sports events, ensuring their growth and continuity in the state.
“Sports tourism represents a $128 billion global industry, with Delaware’s sports events bringing in millions of dollars and drawing thousands of visitors each year,” said Secretary of State Jeff Bullock. “It is important that we not only keep and grow sports events the State presently hosts but also attract brand new events that further contribute to our state and local economy.”
The TEAMS Program is designed to support both new and existing events within Delaware. This initiative will enhance Delaware’s sports tourism landscape by increasing overnight stays, boosting local economies, and promoting the state on regional and national platforms.
“This program is critical to enhancing the growth of Delaware’s sports tourism industry and maintaining our state’s competitive edge on a national scale,” said Delaware Tourism Office Director Jessica Welch. “When event owners consider holding a sports tournament in Delaware, they often ask if our office has financial incentives or other programs that could help offset the cost of hosting these large-scale events.”
Applications for the TEAMS Program are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. DTO will assess each application within 30 days, evaluating the potential economic impact of the event to determine the amount of financial support. The economic impact calculation considers room nights booked, daily spending by attendees, and the duration of their stay.
Once an event concludes, DTO will request a post-event report from the event owner. Based on this report, DTO will distribute the financial incentive. The incentives range from $1,000 for events with up to $100,000 in economic impact, to over $25,000 for those generating more than $2.5 million. The DTO has allocated $500,000 for this program.
In recent years, Delaware has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals, the MEAC Volleyball Championship, and the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. The state’s first PGA Tour event, the 2022 BMW Championship, attracted nearly 130,000 attendees and contributed over $30 million to the local and state economy.
“In recent years, Delaware has hosted a number of sporting events that have brought thousands of visitors to our state and contributed millions of dollars in economic impact,” said Delaware Tourism Office Sports Sales Leader Ryan Wolfe. “This program gives us another resource in our sales and marketing toolkit and provides an opportunity to host additional sporting events that shine a spotlight on the state.”
Event organizers and sports organizations can find more information and apply for the TEAMS Program through the Delaware Tourism Office’s website. This new initiative is poised to solidify Delaware’s position as a premier destination for sports tourism, driving economic growth and fostering community engagement across the state.
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