The 78th Little League Baseball World Series, held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, contributed close to $40 million to the regional economy, according to estimates from the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau. The event, which concluded with Chinese Taipei defeating Nevada, attracted approximately 70,000 visitors to north central Pennsylvania—nearly twice the combined population of Williamsport and South Williamsport. This influx of attendees significantly boosted local businesses, lodging, and tourism-related services. n nGovernor Josh Shapiro highlighted the cultural and economic significance of the tournament, noting that since its inception in 1947, the annual youth baseball championship has consistently driven tourism and revenue to the state. “Little League is deeply woven into the fabric of American tradition, and it’s a point of pride that its home is in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said during a visit to the championship game. n nBeyond the Little League event, Pennsylvania is preparing for a series of high-profile sporting events in 2026, including the MLB All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup matches, and the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament—all set to take place in Philadelphia. Additionally, the PGA Championship will be hosted at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, and Pittsburgh will host the 2026 NFL Draft. These events are expected to generate substantial economic returns across the state. n nAmong them, the FIFA World Cup is projected to deliver the largest economic impact, estimated at $770 million. The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh could bring between $100 million and $200 million to the regional economy. For context, the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia generated nearly $95 million in economic activity, as reported by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. n nThe PGA Championship is anticipated to contribute at least $125 million, while the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia is forecasted to add over $67 million to the local economy. n nState officials, including a bipartisan group of lawmakers, recently convened to discuss the broader economic benefits of hosting such events. Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, explained that their economic estimates are based on hotel tax collections and occupancy rates, a methodology used since 2018. Data shows that these metrics have consistently met or exceeded prior years’ figures, excluding pandemic-affected periods. n nState Representative Jamie Flick, whose district includes Williamsport, expressed pride in the community’s role in hosting the tournament, noting his half-century involvement with the event. He emphasized the global visibility it brings and looks forward to welcoming visitors again next year. n nSince taking office, the Shapiro administration has allocated at least $523,000 to support Little League Baseball World Series-related improvements and promotional efforts, including funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Marketing to Attract Tourists program. That program had a budget of $19.4 million in fiscal year 2025 and supports marketing campaigns to promote Pennsylvania as a travel destination. n nLooking ahead, Governor Shapiro has proposed $65 million in his 2025–2026 budget to support preparations for the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, which will further spotlight the state on the national stage. n
— news from lockhaven.com
— News Original —
LLWS generated nearly $40M for Lycoming’s economy
One day after Chinese Taipei bested Nevada to win the 78th Little League Baseball World Series, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced the estimated economic impact the games brought to the region. n nThe two-week baseball tournament in South Williamsport generated nearly $40 million in revenue for the state’s economy, according to the Lycoming County Visitor’s Bureau, with 70,000 people making their way to north central Pennsylvania for the 2025 championship. That’s nearly double the combined populations of the city of Williamsport and neighboring borough of South Williamsport. n n“Little League is a quintessential part of America — and I’m proud that Little League’s home is right here in Williamsport, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “Since the first Little League Baseball World Series was held in 1947 here in Pennsylvania, the annual tradition has generated millions of dollars each year for the local economy and put our commonwealth on the map as a top-tier sports destination.” n nWhile the Little League Baseball World Series draws visitors from countries across the globe annually to Williamsport, Pennsylvania will be in the spotlight next year for America’s 250th birthday celebration. n nThe MLB All-Star Game and games for the FIFA World Cup and NCAA’s March Madness men’s basketball tournament will take place in Philadelphia in 2026, while the state will also host the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square and the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. These blue chip sporting events will bring even larger economic benefits across the commonwealth. n nThe FIFA World Cup is expected to make the biggest splash with an estimated $770 million in total economic impact. n nThe NFL Draft is projected to bring in $100-$200 million in economic impact for the Pittsburgh-region. When the 2017 NFL Draft took place in Philadelphia, the region saw an estimated $94.9 million in economic impact to the city, according to a study commissioned by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. n nThe PGA Championship estimates that the tournament will result in at least $125 million in economic impact for the area, while the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia is projected to bring in over $67 million to the region. n nShapiro made an appearance at the Little League Baseball World Series championship on Sunday, while a bipartisan group of lawmakers held a roundtable discussion a few days prior to highlight the economic impact it brings to the region. n n“Tourism, which drives more than $80 billion a year into our economy, is an integral part of my administration’s economic development strategy and we will continue to be strong partners with Little League Baseball to help more young people make their dreams come true here in Williamsport,” Shapiro added. n nJason Fink, President and CEO of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, told the Capital-Star that the bureau tracks hotel tax revenue and occupancy to estimate the local economic impact. They’ve been doing that since 2018, when it was part of a visitors profile and experience survey conducted by Penn College for the Visitors Bureau and Little League Baseball. He said the hotel tax revenue and occupancy has run at or above the previous year’s numbers, except for those affected by the pandemic. n n“With all the visitors and the national spotlight, I believe we stood tall,” state Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming), who represents Williamsport, wrote about the event. “It gives me great pride in being able to call this area home, and to have been part of the LLWS for the past 50 years. I’m already looking forward to next year so we can again showcase our community to the world.” n nSince the beginning of the Shapiro administration, at least $523,000 has been approved to support improvements and activities around the Little League Baseball World Series, which includes DCED’s Marketing to Attract Tourists program. n nDCED told the Capital-Star that The Marketing to Attract Tourists budget was $19.4 million in FY25. That program funds projects to increase awareness of getaway destinations and attractions in the commonwealth through marketing and advertising initiatives. n nShapiro has proposed $65 million in his 2025-2026 budget to prepare for America’s 250th Birthday. n n—— n nPennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Tim Lambert for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter.