Record-Breaking Year in Economic Impact for Rocky Top Sports World
Rocky Top Sports World records $55.6 million in its 8th year of operation
GATLINBURG, TN – For the second consecutive year, Rocky Top Sports World has set a new
economic impact record.
During their 8th year in business, the 80-acre multisport facility
welcomed more than 149,000 athletes, spectators, families, and friends to Gatlinburg. The
award-winning complex contributed $55.6 million in economic impact during the 2021-2022
fiscal year, surpassing the previous record of $46.9 million set in 2020-2021.
“The City is pleased with the strong economic impact and successful year that Rocky Top Sports
World had, and those efforts are not achievable without the staff helping to make the facility
one of the nation’s most attractive venues for travel sports,” Gatlinburg City Manager Cindy
Cameron Ogle said.
The venue hosted more than 75 tournaments and camps this past year. One notable returning
event was Kohl’s Kicking National Elite Camp and National Scholarship Camp. The partnership
between Kohl’s Kicking and Rocky Top Sports World resulted in receiving a 2020-21 Champion
of Economic Impact award from Sports Destination Magazine. Kohl’s Kicking returned to Rocky
Top Sports World last month with record numbers of athletes in three camp divisions:
professional, collegiate, and high school. Kohl’s Kicking Camps focus on skills training and will be
coming back to Gatlinburg in July 2023.
“Rocky Top Sports World continues to help fuel our record-breaking tourism here in Sevier
County,” said Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “From local tournaments to national events,
Rocky Top Sports World attracts athletes and their families from nearly all 50 states and
multiple countries. This is having a long-term effect on tourism by attracting new families to
experience the Smoky Mountains.”
Soccer plays a prominent role in bringing visitors to Sevier County. The Smoky Mountain Cup
held four weekend occurrences this past year at Rocky Top Sports World. The coveted soccer
series is part of the High School Cup and drew nearly 5,000 athletes and made an economic
impact of more than $8 million. National Soccer Events and FC Alliance also made a significant
impact, bringing 12 soccer tournaments to the area this past year.
“Rocky Top Sports World continues to surpass expectations since the multi-sport campus
opened in Gatlinburg in 2014,” Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner said. “Entering the sports
tourism realm and introducing numerous families to Gatlinburg has proven to be an important
element of the economic growth in the City over the past eight years.”
While sports-related events are what Rocky Top Sports World is known for, the sports complex
also played host to World Cube Association, as well as multiple school, business, and church
enrichment events. For a list of upcoming events, please visit www.rockytopsportsworld.com.
