Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Pennsylvania is offering a new chance to snag funding for bringing big-time sports to the state. The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) reopened the application period for their Sports Marketing and Tourism Program (SMAT) grants. This program is designed to lure high-profile sporting events, both amateur and professional, including esports, to Pennsylvania to give the state’s economy and tourism a significant boost.
The economic benefits come from the influx of visitors these major events attract. More tourists mean more sales for businesses of all sizes in the surrounding areas, which in turn strengthens the regional economy. There’s also a belief that hosting these events can improve the quality of life for residents.
This is exciting news for Pennsylvania, considering they’ve already secured some major events like the 2026 World Cup and the upcoming US Open golf championships (Men’s in 2025 and Women’s in 2024) thanks in part to SMAT grants. So, who can apply for these grants? Municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other legal entities are all eligible, provided they meet some key criteria. First, they must be engaged in, or planning to participate in, a competitive selection process to host an event.
Second, the competition needs to be run by a site selection organization located outside of Pennsylvania. Finally, the applicant must be seeking a commitment of at least one year from this organization to hold a high.
