Top 5 – F1 + SEC Football? No Problem for Austin
Top 5 – F1 + SEC Football? No Problem for Austin
Plus Abu Dhabi's big week, Guyana's new stadium, and more
Whatsup Squad,
Let’s get into the top stories of the week:
⭐️ FEATURE STORY
F1 Meets SEC Football in Texas Capital
While the Longhorns came away with an L in Saturday’s top-5 matchup against Georgia, the city of Austin was still a big winner.
On top of 100,000 football fans squeezed into Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin hosted F1’s United States Grand Prix.
Last year, 432,000 fans attended the three-day race weekend.
Austin-based Angelou Economics determined that weekend alone provided an estimated economic impact of over $1 billion with a direct local impact of roughly $480 million.
Bottom Line - Both hotel and occupancy rates were up (5% and 8%, respectively), so this year’s event is expected to exceed last year’s figure. More importantly, Austin showed event right holders they have the infrastructure to hold two mega-events at the same time.
Read more here
Abu Dhabi Swings Big with Knicks Deal and 2nd Sphere
This was a big week for Abu Dhabi.
First, Sphere Entertainment and Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that they are bringing the world’s second Sphere to Abu Dhabi.
James Dolan — who runs MSG, the Knicks and Sphere Entertainment — long envisioned replicas of his Las Vegas Sphere in global locations, but he wanted financial partners for these costly projects, which reached $2.3 billion in Vegas.
For the second Sphere, DCT Abu Dhabi will fund construction, with Sphere employees providing their expertise.
Just one day later, the New York Knicks named Experience Abu Dhabi as its jersey patch sponsor.
Financial terms were not released, but the Knicks are likely at the top end of the NBA scale.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets previously signed deals in the $30 million-a-year range, while the Golden State Warriors earn $45 million annually from Rakuten.
Bottom Line - Abu Dhabi's tourism strategy aims high with targeted investments to boost visitor numbers and solidify its position as a top global travel destination. These deals underscore the United States’ (and New York’s) status as a priority market.
Read more here
Guyana Breaks Ground at New Stadium
The Guyana Football Federation, in partnership with Blue Water, have begun the initial steps to create an innovative new, multi-purpose sports, educational and entertainment venue.
Over the weekend, a delegation led by CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde turned the sod for the Blue Water Shipping Stadium.
The stadium promises to foster a more vibrant soccer culture and will complement the Federation’s National Training Facility, also under construction.
Even further, the government’s commitment to leasing 7.3 acres of land to the GFF for 50 years demonstrates their support for soccer development.
Bottom Line - The groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of a transformative project for the country’s sports and entertainment infrastructure. The facility is designed to accommodate between 8,000 and 12,000 spectators and will feature modern amenities and a dedicated community space.
Read more here
Atlanta to Host Super Bowl in 2028
The NFL announced that Super Bowl LXII will be hosted in Atlanta in 2028, with the game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Super Bowl LXII marks the fourth time Atlanta has hosted the Big Game and the second time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the most recent game hosted in 2019.
Atlanta will now host:
2025: MLB All-Star Game
2025: CFP National Championship
2025: FIFA Club World Cup
2026: FIFA World Cup
2028: Super Bowl LXII
2031: NCAA Men's Final Four
The unanimous vote to place Super Bowl LXII at the Falcons’ home facility sets up Atlanta as one of the preeminent destinations for championship events.
Bottom Line - Atlanta boasts the world’s busiest airport, a growing and walkable downtown, a solid base of hotels and sought-after restaurants, and one of the industry’s most technologically advanced venues in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Read more here
LA28 Cricket is Heading to the East Coast
Casey Wasserman, President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, announced Friday that cricket matches at LA28 will likely be played on the East Coast.
The Indian market was a critical part of cricket’s pitch to join LA28, so LA28 organizers are tailoring the cricket program to maximize viewership in India.
The IOC currently collects very little media money from India. The four-year deal that included the 2024 Paris Games was worth a reported $12 million.
Adding cricket could raise that to over $200 million for the four-year LA28 cycle.
Not only is Mumbai 12 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Los Angeles, but there are very few (if any) suitable cricket grounds in California.
Bottom Line - Cricket wouldn’t be the only LA28 sport not being played in California. Canoe slalom and softball will take place in Oklahoma City. LA28 has been vocal about how it plans to keep costs down by utilizing existing venues. Could cricket be coming to NYC?
Read more here
Until next time ✌🏾
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