JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A packed March sports calendar is expected to ship a serious economic boost to Jacksonville, driving resort bookings and customer spending because the area hosts all the pieces from championship golf to youth sports and relay races.
Among the largest attracts this month is THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, which is estimated to generate 25,000 resort rooms and about $40 million in economic impression for Duval County, in accordance to figures supplied by Visit Jacksonville.
The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce has mentioned the event generates roughly $150 million in economic impression throughout Northeast Florida, together with greater than $40 million throughout Duval and St. Johns counties mixed.
Local leaders say the spillover is felt effectively past the course.
“We have a lot going on, and really for the past two weeks. The economic impact is great,” mentioned Samantha Vance, government director of the Jacksonville Sports Foundation. “We are looking forward to continuing to do stuff like this — and I call it our March madness for Jacksonville in sports.”
In addition to THE PLAYERS, Visit Jacksonville estimates a number of different March occasions will add thousands and thousands extra in economic exercise in Duval County:
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The AAU Collegiate Hockey Championships (March 6–17): 8,000 resort rooms and $5.7 million in economic impression
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Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Basketball State Championships: 2,400 resort rooms and $3.1 million
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Gate River Run: 2,400 resort rooms and $3.1 million
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ASUN Tournament: 1,675 resort rooms and $2 million
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Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet (March 19–21): 425 resort rooms and $600,000
Altogether, estimates for these occasions whole nearly $55 million in economic impression this month.
Visit Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Sports Foundation say town’s rising sports tourism technique is constructed on year-round occasion recruitment and group engagement.
Tourism leaders add that the partnership between Visit Jacksonville and the Sports Foundation is designed not solely to land marquee occasions, but additionally to join them with the local people.
“The Jacksonville Sports Foundation came out of Visit Jacksonville and the TPC’s efforts to really ask, how can we delve deeper into the local community and get the local community engaged around these large-scale sporting events,” Mitura mentioned.
For native companies, the crowds can imply among the strongest gross sales of the 12 months.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year, just like Christmas,” mentioned Bryan Small, a supervisor at Boat House Ponte Vedra, describing the push round THE PLAYERS. “That’s where we really thrive, lines out the door. Increasing sales… it’s been incredible.
Businesses in Ponte Vedra Beach also say visitors help spotlight areas that some travelers may not otherwise explore.
“We love having events in this area, because it is just a beautiful way to help our little neighborhood grow and thrive,” mentioned Kamokila, a supervisor at Morley in Ponte Vedra.
Looking forward, upcoming occasions embrace the 2026 FHSAA Track & Field Championships on the University of North Florida (May 6–9, 2026).
IRONMAN (May 16, 2026), AAU Primary National Championship and Club Championship at UNF (July 4–11, 2026).
The Predator Group Pro Series Challenge (December 2026), and a number of other championship occasions scheduled for 2027, together with the ACES Conference for school swimming and diving coaches, the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship and NCAA Division I Track & Field East Coast Regionals.
Tourism leaders say the long-term purpose is to preserve Jacksonville on the map to host different main sporting occasions.
Some embrace coming into a bid in hopes of internet hosting an NCAA March Madness event sooner or later, and to make sure that the payoff reaches past the venues and into neighborhoods throughout the area.
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