TAMPA, Fla. — The Warrior Games is coming to Tampa, and tourism officials believe it could have up to a $5 million impact on the Bay Area.
- Warrior Games is coming to Tampa Bay
- Tourism officials say it could have a $5M impact on Bay Area
- Opening ceremony for Warrior Games will take place June 22
The Warrior Games is a multi-sport Olympic-style competition, headed up by the U.S. Department of Defense, that will bring nearly 300 wounded soldiers to Tampa next month.
The two-week competition is expected to fill up hotels and restaurants.
“We’re talking about 8,300 to 8,500 room nights,” said Visit Tampa Bay President Santiago Corrado.
Corrado is hoping those athletes and families who visit will leave with a lasting impression of the city.
“It’s about wanting them to come back,” said Corrado. “Either wanting them to bring the games back, because they had such a successful event of having those families and athletes. Say I had a great time in Tampa — we want to come back and visit. Maybe we want to come back and live (here), because it’s a great community.”
The Warrior Games will hold several competitions at the Tampa Convention Center. But athletes and their families will see a lot more than the downtown area.
There will be wheelchair tennis and track and field competitions held at the University of South Florida. Golfers will compete at the Eagles, near Westchase. And the swimming competitions will be held in Clearwater at the Long Aquatic Center.
The public is invited to watch it all for free. The opening ceremony for the Warrior Games will take place June 22.