The 101st Grey Cup and Grey Cup Festival had a combined economic impact of $93 million on the province of Saskatchewan, according to a report released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders Wednesday.
Between the Grey Cup game and preceding four-day Grey Cup Festival, the equivalent of 400 full-year jobs and $21 million in wages and salaries were generated, plus more than $14 million in new tax revenues.
“We couldn’t be happier with the impact and benefit this event has brought to Saskatchewan,” Jim Hopson, president and CEO of the Roughriders, said in a press release. “Clearly there was a significant and measurable financial impact for our province. Beyond that we had an opportunity to showcase Saskatchewan on a national stage.”
The report indicates the festivities attracted approximately 107,200 people, many of whom attended multiple events during Grey Cup week. It’s estimated that 35 percent of the attendees were from outside Regina — the second largest city in the province and home to Mosaic Stadium — which saw the bulk of the economic impact at more than $68 million.
The Roughriders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Grey Cup by a final score of 45-23.
In 2012, the 100th Grey Cup had an economic impact of $133.1 million in the province of Ontario.
