Today, the Atlantic City Sports Commission (ACSC) celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a significant milestone with a decade of transformative contributions to the destination’s sports tourism industry. Since its inception, the ACSC has played a pivotal role in establishing Atlantic City as a premier East Coast destination for diverse sporting events. From cheer and dance competitions to marathons, triathlons and surfing championships that showcase the city’s natural coastal terrain, the ACSC has driven the evolution of Atlantic City as a dynamic hub for sports and recreation.
In the first year of doing business, the ACSC hosted 25 events that generated 18,155 room nights, welcomed 101,000 attendees and contributed $25,079,399 in economic impact. Now in its 10th year, the ACSC has hosted 69 events that generated 84,707 room nights, welcomed 302,150 attendees and contributed $114,213,556 in economic impact. This has demonstrated a growth of 356% in economic impact to the region.
Its diverse portfolio includes USA-sanctioned events such as USA Triathlon National Events and USA Surfing Championships, alongside high-profile events like the IRONMAN 70.3, MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, Jimmy Johnson’s Atlantic City “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week, the US Open Pool Championship and Race Across America. The ACSC also hosted the TEAMS Conference, the world’s leading sports-event industry gathering, in 2016 and 2021, with plans to host again in 2029. Additionally, the acquisition of sport court flooring has expanded the Atlantic City Convention Center’s capabilities to host indoor events like basketball, volleyball, and futsal, further enhancing its event offerings in a more cost-effective way.
“Throughout the last ten years, we’ve not only positioned Atlantic City as a premier destination for sporting events but have also showcased our ability to create a seamless planning process for event planners and memorable experiences for athletes and spectators alike,” said Daniel Gallagher, Director of Sports Sales, Atlantic City Sports Commission. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team, the support of our partners and the spirit of Atlantic City.”
In August 2024, the ACSC unveiled new branding and a new website, which has a mobile-friendly platform that is optimized to deliver seamless navigation and enhance the user experience, serving as a resource for athletes, planners and spectators by highlighting Atlantic City’s comprehensive destination services, offering event planners a competitive edge. Complementing the website is the commission’s dynamic award-winning video, Become a Champion in Atlantic City, NJ, which debuted in May 2024. Created in collaboration with Dark Fall Productions, the video captures the energy, excitement and beauty of Atlantic City as a premier sporting destination through footage from nearly 20 sporting events.
With a robust pipeline of events in 2025 and beyond, the ACSC is poised for continued growth and remains dedicated to creating exceptional experiences for athletes, spectators and planners while driving significant economic impact for Atlantic City.
For more information about the Atlantic City Sports Commission, visit www.atlanticcitysports.org.
Photo credit: Visit Atlantic City
