Sporting tournaments to provide substantial boost to Ballarat

Two major sporting competitions are set to inject more than $5 million into the Ballarat economy this weekend.

Ballarat will host both the McDonald’s Ballarat Junior Basketball Tournament and the CLFA Victorian Country Soccer Championships over the King’s Birthday long weekend, with thousands of visitors set to descend upon the city.

It will be the 50th year the basketball tournament has been held over the June long weekend, in what has become Ballarat’s biggest single sporting event in terms of mass participation and total number of attendees.

It is expected to attract 7500 overnight visitors, 1500 day trip visitors and 1000 locals, generating a forecast economic impact of $3.6 million.

The soccer tournament was most recently held in Geelong, however in 2023 it will call Ballarat home.

It is expected to attract 4000 overnight visitors, 600 day trip visitors and 400 locals, generating a forecast economic impact of $1.84 million.

It had been hoped the newly redeveloped Pleasant Street Reserve would be available to host matches for the first time, however the new turf will likely need another month to fully mature before it can host sporting matches.

City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Ben Taylor said the events highlighted Ballarat as a destination of choice for sporting events and that they would have enormous benefit beyond economic impact.

“Attracting these major events shows exactly why we have put so much focus on enhancing our sporting facilities in Ballarat,” he said.

“For example, we’re going to see the new pavillion at Victoria Park used for the soccer tournament after it was officially opened last month. The Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility and Trekado Park will also be utilised to conduct the event.

“Aside from the huge economic impact, the great aspect of these tournaments is young people playing sport for three action-packed days.

“The benefits of increased activity can be felt in so many different ways, so the more we as a Council can encourage our young people to get moving, the better off they will be.”

Despite the tight accommodation capacity for one of the city’s busiest weekends of the year, Ballarat locals are still encouraged to invite family and friends to visit over the long weekend.

Whether it is a bustling program at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the wonder of Sovereign Hill, the Festival of Magic at Kryal Castle, the Junior Keeper program at the Ballarat Wildlife Park or a wide range of food and craft experiences, there is plenty to fill in a busy long weekend in Ballarat.

A full calendar of events and activities over the long weekend can be found on the Ballarat In The Know website.