Economic Impact Study Finds CITY SC’s Efforts Helping Revitalize Downtown St. Louis Through Investments Totaling More Than $1.4 Billion
CITY SC Generated $168 Million in Regional Economic Impact in 2023
Long after the chants of “S-T-L, S-T-L!” subside following a match at CITYPARK, St. Louis CITY SC – now in its second year of Major League Soccer competition – is proving to be a catalyst for St. Louis’ continued growth and revitalization.
An economic impact study conducted by an independent planning firm, St. Louis-based PGAV, and commissioned by CITY SC and Greater St. Louis, Inc., revealed CITY SC generated more than $168 million in economic impact for the St. Louis region during the 2023 season.
The study also found the construction of CITYPARK and its 32-acre campus created an additional $1.4 billion in economic impact since 2020. The direct cost of the privately-owned stadium campus – which includes the stadium, team training facility and practice fields, team store, parking garage, and corporate headquarters – was $667 million. The overall impact includes approximately $122 million in incremental tax revenue, including $33 million in local and state tax revenue, and $15 million in infrastructure upgrades to lighting, sidewalks, bike paths and streets in the surrounding area.
“Our intention all along was for CITY SC to be about more than soccer – it is an investment in the economic and social vitality of our city and region. We wanted this study to hold ourselves accountable – not necessarily on the dollar figures but on impact. We are excited to see that the study shows that we are having a positive impact, and in just our first year,” said Andy Taylor of St. Louis CITY SC’s ownership group. “But there is so much more still to do. While we are encouraged by the findings and see them as validation for our efforts, we also see them as a call to action. We have shown investing in Downtown works. If we want to be more united as a community, we must all come together find innovative ways to invest in the future of St. Louis. Who else is going to join in?”
In 2023, CITYPARK hosted 20 St. Louis CITY SC matches, 4 international matches (including 3 involving U.S. Soccer men’s or women’s national teams), and 15 CITY2 professional soccer matches, as well as over 200 private events. PGAV’s study also found that in the club’s inaugural season:
- CITYPARK hosted close to one million visits over 12 months with approximately 18% coming from outside the metro area, including 10% coming from outside 100 miles from St. Louis.
- CITYPARK visitors’ spending on hotels, food, and other retail provided an additional $14 million boost to the regional economy.
- CITY SC and its operations generated almost $24 million in tax revenues, including $5.1 million for the City of St. Louis.
CITYPARK also served as a catalyst for growth and vitality in Downtown West. $1.4 billion in new or redevelopment has been built and proposed within walking distance of the stadium since 2019, as well as the start of a new business district within Downtown West, City Commons. Not including CITYPARK, $500 million in new development has been invested in City Commons, as well as $450 million in proposed development including apartments, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, commercial spaces, office space, and tourist attractions. Over 400 building permits totaling $780 million were issued in City Commons between 2020 and 2023, making Downtown West one of the most active construction areas in the City of St. Louis.
“Downtowns are changing. They aren’t just business districts, or even residential neighborhoods. Downtowns connect people together – through sports, civic monuments, entertainment districts, and events as well as businesses and residents,” said Carolyn Kindle, St. Louis CITY SC CEO and ownership group member. “CITY SC plays an important role in bringing people together through the power of sports, but we are only part of a larger evolution for our downtown area, one that we hope brings more vision, investment and more people to our region.”
The PGAV analysis used the economic impact model IMPLAN, which helps track how money flows through a region to estimate the economic and fiscal impacts associated with CITY SC’s direct, indirect, and induced* economic activity and CITYPARK construction. Greater St. Louis, Inc. helped provide information on recent development activity, as well as interviews and data provided by CITYPARK neighboring businesses.
“Direct economic impact” refers to spending at and around CITYPARK and the stadium district during home matches, for example: ticket purchases; food and entertainment at or near the stadium before, during, or after matches; out-of-town visitors staying at hotels, etc. “Indirect economic impact” refers to business-to-business purchases in the regional supply chain that stem from the initial direct purchases. “Induced impact” refers to economic impact or activity that occurs through expenditures made by those employed, or otherwise paid, by the primary business enterprise.
