Excitement is building as the local organizing committee prepares to welcome the world to St. Catharines and the beautiful Niagara Region for the much anticipated 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23 and Under 19 Championships.
Scheduled to take place at the historic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course from August 18-25, 2024, the championship will showcase approximately 2,500 rowers and para-rowers from more than 80 different countries across the Senior, U23, and U19 categories. This will mark the third time the Henley Rowing Course has played host to the world, having previously hosted the 1970 and 1999 World Rowing Championships.
Sport Tourism is an important and dynamic sector of the tourism industry with wide ranging economic, cultural and social benefits for both host destinations and the sports industry. Sport Tourism provides opportunities for local development, promotes community engagement as well as enhances the overall tourism experience. TeamSTC is increasing its focus on sport tourism, leveraging successes in attracting signature international and national events.
With St. Catharines playing host city for the 2024 World Rowing Championships over an eight-day period with an estimated attendance of more than 20,000 spectators as well as approximately 750 volunteers and 100 media representatives. Some of the other benefits of hosting include increased tourism visitation and overnight stays, exposure and employment opportunities for local artisans, musicians, and businesses, media attention to boost the profile of St. Catharines and increased partnership and development opportunities.
The federal and provincial governments have also recognized the championship’s significance in fostering community engagement, promoting tourism, and boosting local economy by announcing collective funding contributions of $1.8 million for the Mega Event.
Opportunities for businesses
Tickets for the rowing world championships are set to go on sale on Friday, December 1 and the organizing committee will release more details about volunteer opportunities, pre-event festivities, and other important announcements in the coming months. All Niagara businesses are invited to an information session Wednesday, November 22 in St. Catharines to learn more about how they can be a part this exciting event. RSVP by November 17.
St. Catharines host city
The City of St. Catharines has long been a supporter of national and international sporting events with a proven track record of welcoming the world to our community. Some other past events inlcude:
- Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games
- 2018 FIBA U18 America’s Championship
- 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
- 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women’s Championship
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