Mesa, Arizona, is poised to become a sports tourism powerhouse this November, hosting an unprecedented number of national and international events. With a packed schedule of competitions, the city is set to welcome over 20,000 athletes and spectators, generating an estimated $13.8 million in direct visitor spending and filling over 7,200 hotel rooms. This influx of visitors will not only bolster the local economy but also put Mesa on the global sports map.
The city’s reputation as a top destination for athletic competitions is fueled by its impressive sports facilities, including the Red Mountain Soccer Complex, Sloan Park, and the Arizona Athletic Grounds. These venues are attracting high-profile events, ranging from the USA Touch Rugby National Championships to the World Field Target Shooting Championships. The latter, making its first return to the U.S. since 2007, will draw athletes from 42 countries to compete.
One of the standout events is the Biofreeze USA Pickleball Nationals, anticipated to attract a massive crowd of 3,000 players and 10,000 spectators. This event alone speaks volumes about Mesa’s growing appeal as a hub for pickleball, a sport that’s experiencing a surge in popularity across the nation.
Beyond the sports themselves, Mesa offers a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. The city’s proximity to the Tonto National Forest and Salt River provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. This combination of urban and natural attractions makes Mesa a truly appealing destination for visitors.
Lance Fite, Vice President of Sports at Visit Mesa, emphasizes the significant economic and community benefits of these events: “Mesa’s top-tier facilities and attractions make us one of the nation’s leading destinations for hosting elite sporting events. The estimated impact of these November events alone is a testament to the growing appeal of Mesa as a world-class sports hub.”
Mesa’s commitment to sports tourism extends beyond the events scheduled for November. The city is already preparing for future high-profile events, including the Savannah Bananas’ 2025 Banana Ball World Tour and the return of the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Championships.
The economic impact estimates for these events are based on contracted hotel room nights and the Destinations International Event Impact Calculator, which utilizes economic models from Tourism Economics, a subsidiary of Oxford Economics.
With a packed schedule of sporting events, Mesa is solidifying its position as a major player on the global sports tourism stage, offering a unique combination of world-class facilities, natural beauty, and a thriving sports culture.