Multiple events – including a nationally televised fishing tournament – will be coming to the Vero Beach area over the next 10 months that are expected to pump millions into the local economy, according to the Treasure Coast Sports Commission.
The nonprofit (which has been renamed Play Treasure Coast) told the Board of County Commissioners that the events will have a “significant and positive effect” on the community and Indian River County tourism when they asked for an additional $20,000 in funding to solicit and process bids for needed services related to the events.
The commissioners approved the request, delighted that economic impact for all is estimated at $2,175,000, with 2,225 projected room nights and $1,257,227 in direct spending.
“This money is well spent. Every kid that shows up is normally with two parents and more. We can’t go wrong,” said Commissioner Joseph Earman.
The activities include baseball, softball, golf, swimming, and a national championship fishing tournament that was confirmed last week.
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will host 150 of the country’s top high school golfers at Sandridge Golf Club from June 2-5, with an estimated economic impact of $275,000.
The first of three Ripken Factory Baseball events will be held at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex from July 18 to 21. Two will follow later in the year, one from Nov. 1-3 and the other from Jan. 18-20, 2025.
The training complex will also host the USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP) national selection trials from December 11 to 15, with an anticipated 450 players and their families and an estimated impact of $1,250,000.
“They will select their national team from this event. This is starting their process,” said Play Treasure Coast CEO Rick Hatcher, referring to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Softball and baseball will not be part of the Paris Olympics this summer.
Special Olympics Florida’s State Aquatic Championship will be held at the North County Aquatic Center in September with a projected $250,000 impact.
Last week, the General Tire Team Series Championship confirmed the return of Major League Fishing to the area. “They have not finalized the dates. We do know that it will be in Indian River County,” said Hatcher.
The anglers event will be live-streamed on the Outdoor Channel, Discover Channel, and CBS Sports. “It’s a great opportunity to promote Indian River County Tourism,” Hatcher said.
The event will likely take place in November or December and will feature the top 24 anglers in the country competing on teams. Two anglers and a cameraperson will be on each boat, and a draft will be held for each of the three days. Anglers will not know their teammates in advance nor where they will fish.
“The last time they were here, it was amazing for the North County area. Each day, they would go to another fishing location,” said chairwoman Susan Adams. “They put Head Waters Lake on the map.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity! It will showcase Indian River County to a very large audience,” said Ben Earman, vice president of Tourism and Marketing for Indian River County of the fishing event.”
