Sports tourism surges in Lethbridge in 2024 [Video]

Lethbridge played host to a number of major sporting events in 2024, resulting in millions of dollars entering the local economy.

From NCAA basketball’s Western Slam tournament, to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks hosting the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) women’s volleyball championships, there was plenty to do in southern Alberta.

According to a recent report, over $18 million was spent in Lethbridge last year. This, according to Dominika Wojcik of Tourism Lethbridge, is a positive that isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

“We know that those dollars are being spent in hotels and restaurants and local businesses. We keep seeing that number growing, which is fantastic for our city,” said Wojcik.

Despite Lethbridge missing out on bids for the 2026 Memorial Cup and the Scotties, Wijcik says the city is still on the up and up when it comes to bringing bigger sporting events.

“Lethbridge is really establishing itself as a premier sports destination. It’s …