More coverage: For complete local coverage of communities in the region, visit MyDaytonDailyNews.com.
Tournament Facts
What: 29th annual Warrior Soccer Classic
When: May 23-25
Where: Five sites
Number of teams: 540
Attendance: 31,000
Economic impact: $9 million
More info: www.WarriorClassic.com
The annual Warrior Soccer Classic set for next weekend is projected to have a $9 million economic impact on the area and attract more than 30,000 people, according to tournament and county officials.
The 29th annual tournament — held at five sites locally — is one of the top events in the area in terms of economic impact, said Jacquelyn Powell, President/CEO of the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau.
About 540 teams are expected to participate in the soccer tournament, which kicks off Saturday and wraps up next Monday. About 8,500 participants are included in the projected overall attendance figure of 31,000, said Carol Maas, president of the Warrior Soccer Club.
“You have to give credit where credit is due,” Powell said. “Carol Maas and her entire team put on a wonderful event. They have the experience and know-how to make it successful year after year.”
Between 2,000 and 3,000 hotel rooms in Montgomery County will be occupied during the tournament, Powell said. Greene and Miami counties also are economically impacted by the tournament, she said.
Powell said the economic impact is determined by the number of overnight stays at hotels, and visitors eating out at restaurants, shopping and admission fees at area attractions.
“People from outside our community come here, spend their money and leave it behind, which helps the local economy tremendously,” Powell said.
The five tournament sites are: Warrior Soccer Complex in Dayton; Thomas Cloud Park in Huber Heights; Vandalia Recreation Center; Hobson Freedom Park in Greene County; and Old River Sports Complex in Dayton. Sixty fields are utilized throughout the weekend.
The tournament is open to the public. Admission and parking are free.
“This tournament highlights the Dayton area,” Maas said. “We’re all in this together — the restaurants, hotels, the fun things to do. Every little bit that (visitors) experience here in town adds to or detracts from their experience.”
Scott Falkowski, Huber Heights assistant city manager, said there’s an uptick in activity at the hotels, restaurants and retail stores in the city during the Warrior Soccer Classic weekend.
“The Warrior tournament is a staple of the city,” Falkowski said. “We know there are other sites they utilize, but we call it home here for them. The city is proud that so many teams come to town.”
The Warrior Soccer Club is in Dayton right up against the Huber Heights border.
Other events in the area that have a strong economic impact include the NCAA First Four ($4.5 million annually) and the Winter Guard International World Championships ($15 million), which is held over two weekends.
About the Author