KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic held in Knoxville last month boasted record attendance for the event and made a $32.2 million impact on the local economy.
“The 2019 Bassmaster Classic really blew us out of the water,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “The crowds, the enthusiasm, the economic impact were all but unprecedented.”
The event, considered the Superbowl of sport fishing, always brings in money to host cities, even more than what host cities for the NCAA tournament have seen.
The Knoxville event boasted at least 153,800 people who were counted at the various venues that hosted activities, according to a report issued by the Visit Knoxville Sports Commission. That shatters the previous record of 143,000 people at the 2018 classic on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, who created a $24 million dollar economic impact there.
“From the first morning, when more than 5,500 fishing fans braved frigid temperatures to stand on the banks of the Tennessee River for the Classic takeoff ceremony, we knew this Classic would be special,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “From there, it just got bigger and better.”
According to the study, the event provided a direct economic impact of $17.7 million and an indirect boost in business sales of $14.5 million. The event is credited with generating $2.75 million in state and local tax revenue, including taxes on sales, restaurant purchases and lodging.
The people who visited Knoxville for the event from almost every state and foreign countries like Australia, Japan and Italy, paid for 29,232 room nights in local hotels, according to Visit Knoxville.
And the economic impact could continue, now that fishing enthusiasts have seen what the area has to offer.
“Fishing strengthens our economy and brings jobs to our citizens, and the Bassmaster Classic was the perfect opportunity to show visitors from across the globe why millions fish here each year," said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourism.
“What’s really exceptional about the Classic is how Knoxville was positively affected not only during the event, but we expect to see continuing visitation as a result for years to come,” said Bumpas. “From fishing enthusiasts who want to experience the Tennessee River waterways to casual leisure travelers, we know Knoxville is on the map as a premier outdoor destination.”
The event was carried on ESPN2 and was covered by media from 28 states and six foreign countries, putting a whole lot of eyes on East Tennessee.
“Drawing record-breaking crowds for the Bassmaster Classic, bass fishing’s largest event of the year, Knox County once again shines in the national spotlight,” noted Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.