Mexico City's Chamber of Commerce, Services & Tourism (CANACO) expects an economic impact of 1.5B pesos ($78M) from this weekend's Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix. The "benefit will primarily be enjoyed by the hotel industry," which is expected to earn approximately 360M pesos ($18.8M), "around 25% of the total revenue" (LA AFICIÓN, 10/25).
France will host a home Six Nations fixture outside of Paris for the first time in its history next year when it moves its match with Italy to Marseille. The round three meeting scheduled to take place on Feb. 23 will be hosted at the Orange Vélodrome stadium in Marseille, which was recently renovated for Euro 2016. The venue is now the second-largest stadium in France, after the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with a capacity of over 67,000 (London TELEGRAPH, 10/25).
McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso will join the United Autosports LMP2 team for an "assault" on January's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Alonso joins Lando Norris and Phil Hanson at the wheel of one of United's Ligier JS P217 prototypes for the Int'l Motor Sports Association WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener. Alonso "previously hinted" at an interest in racing at Daytona following his Indianapolis 500 bid this year, and the Florida event "should be a precursor to a future attack on the Le Mans 24 Hours" (MOTORSPORT, 10/26).
The Int'l Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) announced the IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix as a new addition to the '18 events calendar. The competition is the brainchild of the Japan Blind Football Association, with the first edition taking place in Tokyo from March 18-25. It aims to tap into the popularity of blind football and enhance interest by sponsors and spectators ahead of the 2020 Paralympic Games (IPC).