The FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and the U-20 Women’s World CUP in 2014 brought $28.6 million in economic benefits to Ottawa.
The figures, released yesterday by Soccer Canada, include direct and indirect spending on hotels, shopping, restaurants and other products and services. The figure was calculated using an assessment tool called the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model. The initial expenditure in Ottawa was $18.1 million.
At a press conference Thursday with Canada 2015 CEO Peter Montopoli, Mayor Jim Watson said the figures exceeded revenue and attendance goals in Ottawa, where six matches attracted 95 per cent attendance. Three new two-star pitches in Ottawa are a legacy of the event.
But the Women’s World Cup also gave Ottawa world-wide exposure as a tourism destination, said Watson. “Millions of people watched this event on television. You don’t get exposure like that every day.”
Canada was awarded the right to host the Women’s World Cup in March 2011, and the games attracted unprecedented television audiences. In total, the two events generated $493.6 million for Canada. More than 174,000 visitors made an overnight trip to one of the six official host cities, including 96,000 U.S. soccer fans. The average same-day traveller spent $162, while the average overnight traveller spent $547 on the trip.
Canada has now hosted every major FIFA competition — except the Men’s World Cup. It is not the only G8 country that has never hosted the World Cup, said Montopoli.
“We’ve proved that we can stage a major competition.,” he said. “It’s certainly on our radar. ”
