The Power of Play: How Youth Tournaments Boost Oregon’s Local Economy
February 12, 2026
The Power of Play: How Youth Tournaments Boost Oregon’s Local Economy
When you think about youth sports, what comes to mind? Fast-paced games, proud parents cheering from the stands, and kids chasing their dreams. But there’s another side to the story—one that often goes unnoticed: the economic impact of youth sports tournaments.
At FuturePlay Sports, we’re not just building a new home for basketball and volleyball in Oregon; we’re creating a hub that brings families, athletes, and communities together, while also driving real economic growth.
A Weekend That Packs a Punch
Consider a single weekend tournament with 50 youth basketball teams. That’s roughly 500 athletes, plus coaches, family members, and friends—about 2,000 visitors in total. Even on a modest scale, these tournaments can have a massive financial ripple effect. Based on visitor spending patterns observed at similar youth sports facilities, a single weekend tournament can generate around $600,000 in local spending, supporting hotels, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
Where the Money Goes
Here’s how that spending breaks down for a typical weekend tournament:
Lodging
Food & Beverage
Transportation/Gas
Shopping & Entertainment
Every game, every cheer, and every parent picking up lunch contributes to the local economy in a meaningful way.
More Than Just Dollars
The impact goes beyond money. Hosting tournaments creates jobs for local teens and college students, supports small businesses, and even raises the profile of Oregon as a sports destination. Every visitor leaves with a memory and a connection to the community, and every tournament strengthens the culture of youth sports in our region.
Real-World Impact: Lessons from Starkville, Mississippi
The economic potential of youth sports tournaments isn’t just theoretical. Consider the Cornerstone Sports Complex in Starkville, Mississippi:
Opened in October 2023, the 12-field baseball and softball complex attracted 29,000 visitors in its first full year.
The resulting economic impact was $9.3 million, including hotel stays, restaurant visits, and local spending from traveling teams and families.
The facility operates as a community resource during weekdays and hosts tournaments on weekends, balancing local access with revenue generation.
Mayor Lynn Spruill described the facility as “exactly what we wanted it to be, which was a driver for economic opportunity,” illustrating how youth sports infrastructure can benefit both the community and the local economy.
National benchmarks support these figures:
Sports ETA 2023 Report
Sports tourism generates $52.2 billion in direct spending and $128 billion in total economic impact in the U.S.
90+ facilities generating nearly $1 billion annually from over 25 million visits.
Starkville’s example shows how even smaller communities can leverage youth sports to attract visitors, support local businesses, and create jobs.
Sports aren’t just games; they’re investments in people and communities. Youth tournaments may seem like small events, but they generate significant economic and social impact.
At FuturePlay, we’re proud to show that when youth sports thrive, the entire community benefits.
Sources
Sports ETA – 2023 State of the Industry Report https://www.sportseta.org/blog/2024/04/24/sports-eta-releases-its-2023-state-of-the-industry-report-for-the-128-billion-sport-tourism-industry
EngageTU – The Economic Weight of Youth Travel Sports https://www.engagetu.com/2025/04/11/the-economic-weight-of-youth-travel-sports/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Youth Sports Business Report – Starkville Sports Complex Case Study https://youthsportsbusinessreport.com/starkville-sports-complex-generates-9-3-million-impact-in-first-full-year-of-operations/
York County, VA – Economic Impact of Sports Tourism https://www.yorkcounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/56332/Economic-Impact-of-Sports-Tourism-in-Virginia