WINNIPEG GREY CUP GENERATES $80M

WINNIPEG, MB – The 103rd Grey Cup Festival and sold-out championship game in Winnipeg last November delivered more than football fever across the province.  In releasing economic impact numbers today, the Winnipeg Football Club is reporting that the combined activities of this week-long celebration contributed $80 million in benefits, primarily to the City of Winnipeg.

“The impact of this event alone was tremendous for local tourism as hotel rooms and banquet facilities were booked solid,” said Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, senior vice president of Tourism Winnipeg.  “There were even further benefits as fans explored the city’s attractions, shopping, restaurants and bars.”  She added that, “Investors Group Field was instrumental in allowing Winnipeg to host such a successful event with wide reaching impacts.”

According to TSN, an average of 4.3 million people watched all or part of the game on their network, representing nearly 30% of the entire Canadian population.  Additionally, an estimated 23,000 tourists from across Manitoba and Canada attended the festivities.

“We are proud that just one major event at Investors Group Field was able to make such a major economic contribution to the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba,” said Wade Miller, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club.  “Once all 2015 events are tallied, including the nearly $40 million in benefits from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the economic impact of our new facility on the City and Province is very positive.”

Miller was referencing a host of major international, national and provincial events hosted just last year at Investors Group Field including:

– The internationally-renowned FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 and its seven soccer matches, two of which were sold out;
– 39 international, national, university and amateur sporting events;
– Two major concerts including One Direction and a sold-out AC/DC concert.

“Investors Group Field and other major infrastructure projects like it help elevate Winnipeg’s profile,” said Sturk-Nadeau, “which in turn helps us attract new tourism business to our City including high-caliber sporting events and world-class entertainment acts.”

As recently announced, Investors Group Field will also host the 2016 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic this coming October – the first outdoor NHL game ever played in Manitoba. The match-up between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers in a regular season NHL game will be preceded by a much-anticipated alumni game.    In the year following, Winnipeg will host the 2017 Canada Summer games, with many activities under the rafters of Investors Group Field.

“Winnipeg is a thriving, passionate City,” said Miller, “which is why we’re proud to contribute so significantly to its economic success – now and into the future.”