UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein commented: “The first UFC event in Paris will remain a historic and memorable event in many ways. The economic impact that the UFC continues to have in major cities around the world is a mark of the dedication of our fans and the momentum that UFC and MMA have grown in popularity over the past few years. The French public did not disappoint, and we hope everyone enjoyed their first UFC event in Paris, and we can’t wait to come back in France.
The event had a huge impact on tourism, as 67.9% of the fans who attended the event came from outside the Paris region, showing the benefits for a city of hosting a UFC event.
Key figures include:
- A total of €33.4 million ($33.4 million) in economic benefits for the Paris region
- 400 jobs generated in Île-de-France by the event
- €16.1 million ($16.1 million) in compensation and salaries
- €711,800 (710,600 USD) tax revenue
- 3.4 million euros ($3.4 million) in admission revenue, the highest ever for the Accor Arena
- A truly international audience: 32.1% from Ile-de-France, 39.9% other French regions, and 28% from abroad
- 1 in 5 people said it was their first trip to Paris and 94.8% came to Paris just for the UFC event
- 95% of visitors said they came to Paris specifically for the UFC event
- 92% of visitors said they would attend another UFC event in Paris in the future
- 412,000 online and social media mentions driving €627.1 million ($628.2 million) in total global media value
Brian Gordon, Director of Applied Analytics, noted: “The combination of the UFC event organized at the Accor Arena and the visitors from the Paris region has generated impressive economic benefits. Bounty spending by UFC fans has rippled through the economy to support millions of dollars in economic activity and compensation for workers in the region.
See attached the full report produced by Applied Analysis.
Study methodology
To assess the economic impacts, Applied Analysis relied on overall UFC and visitor spending in the region. The data comes from ticket sales data, event attendee surveys, third-party economic data providers, and information provided by the UFC.
For the purposes of the study, economic impacts focus on economic output, wages and salaries, and employment. In addition to direct impacts from the UFC, the analysis considers indirect and induced impacts, or the “ripple effect”. Indirect impacts include secondary impacts generated by businesses that support the economic activities of UFC and visitors, while induced impacts come from businesses that are supported by employee spending. Total impacts reflect the sum of direct, indirect and induced impacts.
