USTA Florida Unveils Inaugural Economic Impact Report

USTA Florida released its first-ever Economic Impact Report, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.  The report highlights the substantial contributions of amateur, youth, and adult tennis tournaments and events to Florida’s economy in 2023.  

The report analyzed 1,134 sanctioned tennis tournaments and events across the state.  Those events attracted 92,456 participants and 160,325 spectators, generating an impressive $81.8 million in direct spending. This spending translated into a total economic impact of $145.9 million, supporting 1,007 full-time and part-time jobs and contributing $11.4 million in state and local taxes. 

Every dollar spent by USTA Florida generated $12.84 in visitor spending, $6.95 in total income, and $1.80 in total state and local taxes. 

Above: Tennis tournaments have a huge economic impact on Florida.

“This report shows how much financial power tennis brings to communities and why cities who develop tennis facilities and host events see a positive return beyond the direct revenue.  When you combine the economic impact with the health and wellness benefits of tennis, public tennis centers are clearly a first-class investment,” said Laura Bowen, executive director of USTA Florida.  

Key Findings from the Report: 

Non-local attendees accounted for 112,838 participants and spectators, spending $81.8 million across various sectors, including: 

• $24.3 million in food and beverage 
• $18.7 million in lodging 
• $14.2 million in retail purchases 
• $9.8 million in entertainment/recreation 
• $8.1 million in tournament operations 
• $6.8 million in local transportation 

The economic ripple effects saw a direct expenditure of $81.8 million was generated.  

• $30.4 million in indirect impacts through supplier purchases 
• $33.7 million in induced impacts through new household income spending 
• A total of $145.9 million in business sales across Florida. 

Additionally, the tennis tournaments and events directly supported 661 jobs, with an additional 163 indirect jobs and 183 induced jobs created. This activity resulted in $44.3 million in total labor income, including wages, benefits, and personal income. 

The findings underscore tennis’s critical role in Florida’s tourism and economy, reinforcing USTA Florida’s mission to make tennis accessible for everyone. To view the full Economic Impact Report, click here.

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Written by: Jaret Kappelman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator for USTA Florida. Be sure to check out USTA Florida, the governing body of amateur tennis in Florida, offering tennis programs for all ages and ability levels. Photos courtesy of USTA Florida.