National Senior Games expected to bring 10K athletes, $30M in visitor spending to Pittsburgh
The National Senior Games getting underway Friday in and around Pittsburgh will showcase some of the top 50-and-older athletes while also pumping tens of millions of dollars into the region’s economy, officials say.
The National Senior Games — hosted by SportsPittsburgh, a division of the tourism agency VisitPittsburgh — is scheduled to run through July 18. SportsPittsburgh spokesman Jim Lachimia called the Senior Games the world’s largest multi-sport event for senior athletes.
The event is expected to draw more than 10,000 senior athletes from all 50 states and eight foreign countries, Lachimia said. He estimated that more than 15,000 family, friends and others will travel to the Pittsburgh to support the participating athletes.
“Projections are that the National Senior Games will generate more than $30 million in direct visitor spending for the region as a result of those 25,000 people staying at our hotels, eating in our restaurants and visiting our attractions over the 12-day period,” Lachimia said.
Among the participating athletes, Lachimia said the event expects to draw more than 800 from Ohio, over 720 from across Pennsylvania and more than 600 each from Maryland and Florida.
“We believe the National Senior Games will have a positive impact on our local economy as they have in other locations that have held the games,” said Olga George, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey.
Pittsburgh previously hosted the National Senior Games in 2005.
This year, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will serve as the hub of activity — hosting the athlete village, the flame arrival ceremony and six out of 20 sports.
Events also will take place at AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes, Highmark Stadium, Mellon Park Tennis Center, North Park, North Shore, Petersen Events Center, Quicksilver Golf Club, Schenley Park, P3R Track & Field Complex, South Fayette High School and Trees Pool.
Related:
• VisitPittsburgh CEO competing in National Senior Games in his own city
Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.
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