Sports in RI: Sports tourism continues to drive visitations, economic impact in Rhode Island

From: The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Cheerleading competitions, collegiate championships headline another winning season for the RI Sports Commission, totaling $18 million in direct spend in Q1

There is sure to be sports madness in and around Providence this March, but the much-anticipated NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is just the cherry on top of a winning winter for sports tourism in Rhode Island. 

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, sporting events and sports-related meetings booked by the Rhode Island Sports Commission, a division of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), will generate nearly $18 million in estimated direct spending. That figure is calculated based on 15 sporting events, over 22,000 contracted hotel room nights, and 78,550 estimated attendees in Providence, Warwick, and surrounding communities throughout January, February, and March.

“We are a thriving sporting events destination, and that’s not just because we traditionally have top-ranked teams to root for. Providence and Warwick are in-demand destinations when it comes time to organizing and operating sporting events. From recreational and participatory sports that book tournaments, clinics, and camps to some of the largest nationally televised championships– it all takes place here in RI,” said Jonathan Walker, senior director of sports sales for the Rhode Island Sports Commission. “These events fill hotel rooms, book space in our convention center, bring in families and fans from across the country, and utilize facilities around the state. All of that means business for Rhode Island.”

In the winter months, indoor sports such as cheerleading, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, and ice hockey provide a much-needed boost to hotel occupancy in Providence and Warwick, which helps compress the market across the state. 

“The economy relies heavily on business booked by the Rhode Island Sports Commission,” added Tom Riel, senior vice president of the PWCVB. “These events are crucial to filling rooms during the winter months when leisure travel is traditionally light. Sports accounts for more than 75% of the total room nights, attendees, and estimated direct spending generated by events in Q1. This business spreads far beyond Providence and Warwick as attendees travel to courts, ice rinks, and gyms throughout the state.”

“The proximity and abundance of our venues play a key role in our ability to retain regional events and attract large-scale events to Rhode Island,” says Walker. “Our facility footprint is impressive for our size, and it’s continuously evolving with the growth of our annual events and the demand for new events.” 

The 15 events include a pair of 15,000-attendee cheerleading competitions at the Rhode Island Convention Center and back-to-back weekends of NCAA Championships at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Ice rinks in Cranston, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket will welcome crowds of hockey visitors for holiday tournaments while basketball players and families visit the 187,000-square-foot Longplex Family & Sports Center in Tiverton and several collegiate and interscholastic facilities across the state.

A breakdown of some key events is below: 

• 2025 Nike New England Winterfest (Girls Volleyball) – 2,384 contracted hotel rooms and $1,445,115.00 in estimated economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 CCM MLK Invite (Boys Ice Hockey) – 2,426 contracted hotel rooms and $1,312,719.06 in estimated direct economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 Athletic Championships Grand Nationals (Cheerleading) – 2,576 contracted hotel rooms and $2,416,301.23 in estimated direct economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 Nike VolleyFest-Providence (Boys & Girls Volleyball) – 2,455 contracted hotel rooms and $1,464,543.10 in estimated direct economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships – 1,206 contracted hotel rooms and $890,299.74 in estimated direct economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 Spirit Fest Grand Nationals (Cheerleading) – 2,383 contracted hotel rooms and $2,996,917.57 in estimated direct economic impact.
  
  
• 2025 NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship – 1st & 2nd Rounds – 4,602 contracted hotel rooms and $3,764,738.17 in estimated direct economic impact.

The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create vibrant growth for the local hospitality economy by promoting, developing, and expanding a united visitor industry. For more information, contact (401) 456-0200 or visit www.GoProvidence.com.