Over the three-day event, data suggests the city saw $108.8M in direct spending because of the NFL DraftGetty Images
The 2023 NFL Draft in K.C. was “one of the largest events in the city’s history,” attracting an "estimated 312,000 to the three-day football festival" at Union Station and the National World War I Museum and Memorial, according to Blair Kerkhoff of the K.C. STAR. Along with the attendance, data compiled by the city’s economic development organization Visit K.C. showed the NFL Draft generated $164.3M in "economic impact” for the city. Visit K.C. and K.C. Sports Commission President Kathy Nelson said one of the "biggest takeaways is, our city can host big events.” Kerkhoff noted the Visit K.C. economic-impact figures include $108.8M in “direct spending” and $55.5M in “indirect spending.” Some 60% of the direct spending was “produced through accommodations” and 18% “through food and beverage.” The city also “invested in the event,” spending $3M from the city’s “Convention and Tourism Fund,” while the sports commission “raised additional money through corporate partnerships.” The data showed the draft also produced $11.2M in “local taxes” and $4.8M in “state taxes.” Prior to the event, Nelson told the city council that the draft "could bring $125 million in economic impact and $10 million in taxes” (K.C. STAR, 8/25).
