By Megan Leatham, CEO – Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
Sports are far more than just entertainment, they are a driving force behind economic prosperity, generating billions of dollars in revenue and transforming local economies across the United States. From lower-tier leagues to college athletics and professional franchises, the sports industry is a cornerstone of economic development, boosting tourism, driving infrastructural investment, and attracting revenue to communities nationwide.
A 2024 Deloitte study projected that over 300 global stadiums would be built or renovated in 2025, with almost 50% of these new builds or renovations taking place across North America and Europe. The growth of new stadiums attempts to attract a new wave of fans and could provide new streams of revenue for private investors and increase economic returns for communities. Present day sports infrastructure has evolved with many cities embracing a mixed-use development approach where developments like stadiums incorporate apartments, hotels, restaurants and retail facilities to provide more tailored fan and athlete experience.
Take Colorado Springs as a prime example. As the home of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, Broadmoor World Arena, Weidner Field, and more than 60 sports governing bodies, the city has established itself as a national hub for elite athletic competition. It leverages its unique landscape and world-class facilities to attract top-tier sporting events that directly impact the regional economy.
In 2025 alone, Colorado Springs hosted premier events such as the U.S. Senior Open, the Warrior Games, and the iconic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb; drawing national attention and generating millions in economic impact for local businesses, hotels, and the broader tourism sector. The U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor, projected to contribute $24 million on its own, highlights the city’s growing influence as a destination for world-class sporting events. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Colorado Springs is uniquely positioned to build on this momentum and further solidify its standing as a leader in the sports industry.
But the ripple effect of the sports industry extends well beyond ticket sales and tourism. Sectors such as medical technology benefit enormously, as elite athletes seek specialized treatment to enhance performance and accelerate recovery. Facilities like the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center lead the way in advancing sports science and performance training, fostering industry diversity while reinforcing Colorado Springs’ reputation as a sports medicine leader.
Colorado Springs exemplifies how cities can leverage their regional strengths, natural landscapes, infrastructure, and sports governance, to create a thriving sports economy that extends beyond local benefits to national influence. With the United States set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, cities across the country should seize this opportunity to highlight their unique attributes, attract investments, and position themselves as competitive players in the global sports economy.
For communities overlooking the economic power of sports, the time to rethink their approach is now because those that do will thrive, while others risk falling behind in an industry that continues to reshape the economic landscape of America.