UFC 129: $40,000,000 economic impact for host city Toronto
Dana White predicts a $40 million economic impact for Toronto as a result of UFC 129. White also stated in…
Dana White predicts a $40 million economic impact for Toronto as a result of UFC 129. White also stated in a conference call Tuesday that UFC 129 could bring $1.5 million in revenue to the city from ticket taxes alone. In addition, the UFC has sold $11 million in tickets for the event
Via Rogers Sportsnet:
Tom Wright, the UFC’s director of Canadian operations, said the Ontario Athletic Commission will also benefit to the tune of five per cent of the gross ticket sales. That’s $550,000, working on the gate figure of $11 million.
Via MMA Junkie:
The demand was shocking even to White, who had seen the promotion do big business in all five of its trips to Canada. White added that UFC 129 also broke a box office record previously held by the NFL in the Rogers Centre. The arena previously has hosted events with up to 69,000 spectators. However, given the UFC’s event-night layout, large video screens, and the UFC president’s commitment to maintain as much as the intimate atmosphere of a live UFC-show experience, officials initially expected 50,000 to be the absolute maximum capacity for UFC 129.
Payout Perspective:
Outstanding numbers for the UFC and further evidence that the UFC’s popularity can affect the economy of the cities where it holds its events. For the skeptics, the $40 million figure does seem huge, but if you factor in the money generated from the Fan Expo the same weekend, the number could be possible. The numbers also supports the premise of the NY economic study provided by the UFC several weeks ago in that MMA can stimulate the local economy. More fuel for the argument that NY should legalize MMA.