Pokémon GO events contribute over $300M to city economies in 2021

Data from research firm Statista shows that Niantic’s three flagship Pokémon GO Fest live events delivered a combined $309 million contribution to the local economies of their host cities in 2022, including total expenditure and associated increase in tax revenue.

Underlining the growing appetite for gaming community events in the real world, the combined impact was on a par with figures for Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles County ($234-477m) and on an individual basis with the hosting of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament across nine host cities in the UK ($60m).

The research found that the three events collectively delivered:

• $309m total local economic impact, including $79.6m of incremental tax revenue
• 150,000 participants with, on average, 85% traveling in from outside the host city
• $650 average visitor spend
• 45%, on average, declaring a desire to return to the host city within 12 months
• 38m total Pokémon caught
• 10.2km average explored per Pokémon Trainer (player)

Pokémon GO Fest live events put a global spotlight on the host cities with tens of thousands of players traveling internationally and domestically to connect with each other and build their Pokémon GO communities. Trainers who attend are able to catch featured Pokémon and complete event-exclusive Special Research, all while exploring the physical venue and surrounding city.

In Berlin, $49.2m was spent by over 40,000 Trainers, which delivered $24.3m of incremental tax revenue. The Trainers walked an average of 7.6km and caught a combined 14 million Pokémon. Of these Trainers, 88% traveled from outside the city, and 43% traveled internationally. On average, visitors spent $521, with restaurants, bars and shops benefiting the most.

In Seattle, $114.7m was spent by over 58,000 Trainers, which delivered $40m in incremental tax revenue. The Trainers walked an average of 11km and caught a combined 17 million Pokémon. Of these Trainers, 83% traveled from outside the city, and 14% traveled internationally. On average, visitors spent $816, with restaurants, entertainment and shops benefiting the most.

In Sapporo, $65.5m was spent by over 55,000 Trainers, which delivered $15.3m in incremental tax revenue. The Trainers walked an average of 12km and caught a combined 17 million Pokémon. Of these Trainers, 84% traveled from outside the city. On average, visitors spent $615, with shopping and entertainment benefiting the most.