ABSTRACT
There is a growing shift in participation within lifestyle sport and a corresponding decrease of participation in more mainstream sports. However, in spite of this growth, many components of lifestyle sports are poorly understood. This chapter explores a crucial component, the business of lifestyle sport, more specifically, the economic benefits of a national competition climbing championship held in the Eastern United States. This chapter presents the indirect, induced, and direct effects as provided by 260 championship participants and associates. Study results as processed through a conservative estimate indicated a moderate to strong benefit to the community hosting the lifestyle sport event. This chapter provides foundational evidence for the economic power of lifestyle sports for both policy makers and researchers, and provides guidelines for replication of this study in other lifestyle sports contexts.
