Greater Raleigh to Host More Than 7,000 Athletes During Independence Day Weekend
Tuesday, July 02, 2013, 8pm
Raleigh, NC- Independence Day is quickly approaching and fireworks are about to light up the sky while more than 7,000 athletes along with family and fans put a spark in the area's economy during four major amateur sporting events taking place July 4-7. The economic impact of these events, which take place at some of the area's most stellar venues, is estimated to be almost $2.5 million.
"The roster of events taking place this weekend is amazing and some of these events like the USA Ultimate Open Championships are bringing a relatively new sport to our area for the first time," said Tori Collins, assistant director of sports marketing for the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance.
The list of sporting events taking place starting July 4 includes:
USA Ultimate Open Championships and Convention
Date: July 4-7
Location: WRAL Soccer Park
Number of Visitors: 1,250
Economic Impact:$443,800
Description: In only the second year of the Ultimate Championships, high level teams will compete for four days in three different categories: men's, women's and mixed. This tournament is invitation-only, so the competition will be intense.
USA Baseball 16U Cup
Date: July 4-7
Location: USA Baseball Training Complex
Number of Visitors: 600
Economic Impact: $168,630
Description: The nation's top teams will compete in this part of the Labor Day Cup for a national championship in their age group. Teams will be represented from all around the United States including teams from Maryland, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and New York.
AAU Basketball Tobacco Road Summer Showcase:
Date: July 5-9
Location: Raleigh Convention Center
Number of Visitors: 2,500
Economic Impact: $827,800
Description: Over 400 boys and girls teams will compete to call themselves king or queen of the court. Young adults from all around North Carolina will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete at a high level.
TORHS 2Hot4Ice National Games 2013
Date: July 5-9
Location: Dreamsports Center
Number of Visitors: 2,800
Economic Impact: $1,022,000
Description: Composed of roller hockey teams from around the country, each team has already qualified at a Regional Qualifying tournament.
"The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County in order generate and/or retain sports‐related business (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) for the purpose of economic development. The GRSA's 21‐member Advisory Board takes a leadership role in helping to chart the future of the sports event industry in Wake County. The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance is a division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau."
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