Brigid Tuck always finds it interesting to see what results will reveal when she conducts an economic impact analysis of festivals and events.
Minnesota’s hosting of the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship was no different. Tuck, an applied research specialist for University of Minnesota Extension, recently conducted an analysis of the event, finding the tournament generated an estimated $71.5 million in economic activity across the Twin Cities region.
Strong economic returns
The World Juniors, held Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, brought together elite under-20 hockey players from 10 nations. Games were held in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, with pre-tournament exhibition matches hosted in four Greater Minnesota cities and a fan festival — the Bold North Breakaway — drawing crowds to the Twin Cities.
The event supported 385 jobs and generated $21.1 million in labor income, while also producing approximately $4.8 million in state and local tax revenue. The most direct benefits were felt by arena venues, hotels, and restaurants, as thousands of visitors filled seats, booked rooms, and dined locally.
Ripple effects extended further. “There are businesses that indirectly benefit,” Tuck says. “They may never see an event attendee, but businesses and employees rely on other businesses for goods and services.” Industries that indirectly benefited the most include real estate, professional and business services, and administrative and support services.
“Even though approximately 75% of attendees were classified as residents, visitors accounted for 73%, or $52.4 million, of the economic activity.”
— Brigid Tuck, University of Minnesota Extension, applied research specialist
Visitors main source of impact
Although local residents made up the majority of attendees, visitors — defined as those who live more than 50 miles from the Twin Cities — were responsible for the majority of the economic impact.
“Even though approximately 75% of attendees were classified as residents, visitors accounted for 73%, or $52.4 million, of the economic activity,” Tuck explains. “The tournament lasted several weeks, so players, officials, broadcast team members, and so forth, were in the Twin Cities for an extended period.”
A guide for the future
For Minnesota Sports and Events, the state’s sports commission, the study is a boon for showcasing the tournament’s impact to the region’s economy. “Having a data-driven, third-party analysis like this is incredibly valuable for us and for the broader community, both for validation and the insight it provides,” says John Klinkenberg, chief operating officer. "It not only quantifies the economic impact of the World Junior Championship, but helps us clearly demonstrate how major events translate into real benefits for Minnesota’s businesses, workforce, and tax base.”
Report results also provide a roadmap. “We plan to use these findings to guide future event strategy and support discussions with policymakers around sustainable funding,” Klinkenberg says.
The bigger picture
Ultimately, the 2026 World Junior Championship impacts underscore how major sporting events can drive economic activity, support jobs, and feature Minnesota as a welcoming and vibrant destination.
“I think the results point to the value of hosting large-scale events in the Twin Cities and Minnesota,” Tuck says. “In addition to spending money in the short-term, visitors reported they appreciated the quality of event facilities, the friendliness of the Twin Cities, and the region's dining options. Those factors can help drive return visits.”