Football and hurling events at Fenway Park generate close to $30 million in visitor spending for Boston and region

The Red Sox today announced that the November football and hurling events at Fenway Park drew a total of 94,973 fans and helped inject millions into the City of Boston and the region's visitor economy.

According to conservative estimates from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, $28.7 million was generated in visitor spending for the City of Boston and the region by the events at Fenway Park in November, which included Notre Dame's Shamrock Series Football game, the AIG Hurling match and Irish Festival, and the four high school football games on Thanksgiving eve and Thanksgiving Day.

"The City of Boston is proud to continually host some of the best sports talent from across the world at our very own Fenway Park," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Aside from the incredible economic benefits that the football and hurling events brought to our city, they also served as a source of family entertainment and allowed us to showcase our city to the world. The success of these events is encouraging and we look forward to collaborating with our partners at the Red Sox to explore what other ventures we can bring to Boston."

Of the total $28.7 million generated for Boston's visitor industry, $18.6 came from direct spending, and another $10.1 from indirect spending. The majority of spending came from Notre Dame's Shamrock Series game on November 21. The sold out game against Boston College had an attendance of 38,686 and a total spending impact of $22.2 million - nearly 14 times more than a regular season Red Sox home game, which typically generates around $1.6 million. 

"Our visitor industry received an early Christmas gift thanks to the Red Sox hosting these special events at Fenway Park," said Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau President/CEO Pat Moscaritolo. "This was new spending that benefited hotels, restaurants, and attractions in what normally is a very quiet time of year for our industry."

The AIG Hurling match and Irish Festival had an attendance of 27,766 and generated about $5.4 million in visitor spending, and the four high school football games had a combined attendance of 28,521 and spending impact of about $1.1 million.

"It has been a focus of this ownership group to bring new and unique forms of entertainment to Fenway Park throughout the year," said Red Sox President Sam Kennedy. "Bringing back the tradition of football and hurling to Fenway Park after such a long hiatus was truly special, and being able to create lifelong memories for the college and high school students who played was a great privilege."