KALAMAZOO, MI — Records were set on and off the courts, fields, ice and wrestling mats in 2024 as Discover Kalamazoo Sports hosted more than 50 sporting events over the year. The organization announced the events resulted in an all-time record of $30.3 million in estimated direct visitor spending, according to a Tuesday, March 18 news release. The economic impact was made possible through the more than 38,000 youth, amateur, college and professional athletes that competed in sports events and tournaments in the Kalamazoo area in 2024. Those athletes, along with their families, friends and fans, contributed to the region’s local economy by paying for lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail, recreation, space rental and other business services. The organization stated it continues to punch above its weight class in sports such as ice hockey, figure skating, wrestling and tennis. Those four sports accounted for 53% of Discover Kalamazoo Sports room nights in 2024. In an attempt to drive that impact higher, the organization is planning a $40 million basketball and volleyball facility. RELATED: Filling a void: Why a $40M youth sports complex is planned for Kalamazoo County Among the notable sports events held in Kalamazoo in 2024 were: Michigan Youth Wrestling Association Individual State Championship: $4.9 million in estimated direct economic impact drawing 5,000 athletes, coaches and event personnel and using 2,000 hotel room nights.Kiss Soccer Tournament hosted by TKO Premier: $2.4 million in estimated direct economic impact drawing 3,000 people and using more than 1,000 hotel room nights.MHSAA Team Wrestling Finals: $737,361 in estimated direct economic impact drawing 1,000 people and using more than 500 hotel room nights. Teenage CrossFit Games: $416,896 in estimated direct economic impact drawing 200 and using 900 hotel room nights. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Kalamazoo has several new and returning events on the horizon, including: USA Hockey will host the 2025 14U Tier II National Championships April 2 to 6 at Wings West & Wings Event Center.The 2025 Michigan Color Guard Championship returns for year two at Western Michigan University’s University Arena on March 29.The K-Town Shakedown Roller Hockey Tournament returns to Kalamazoo for the first time since 2020, from April 11 to 13 at Wings Event Center.The Ziegler Kalamazoo Marathon will start and finish at Arcadia Creek Festival Place on Sunday, May 4. The USTA Boys' 18U and 16U National Championships will occur for the 82nd consecutive year in Kalamazoo. The event will again be hosted at Kalamazoo College’s Stowe Stadium, Western Michigan University’s Sorensen Courts and other surrounding sites. The 2025 Kick-off Classic Synchronized Skating will take place Nov. 21 to 23 at Wings Event Center. The Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive now offers free email news alerts. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily “3@3 Kalamazoo” roundup of news. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here.