Mexico’s sports tourism industry is showing impressive growth and is expected to grow from an estimated $544.38 billion in 2023 to almost $2090 billion by 2032, displaying a projected compound annual growth rate of 16.43%.
Many of the tourists that contribute to the industry travel south from the US. The regulated sports betting market in Mexico is another draw for tourists, with many US states restricting betting.
Consumers looking for betting sites in California often have to explore offshore options with limited betting options available in the state. Betting sites in California provide a secure way for players to enjoy betting on their favorite sports, but Mexico’s gambling industry was recently overhauled to improve regulations.
Mexico’s Sports Tourism Industry
Sports tourism is an important factor for national economies, with multiple industries benefitting directly and indirectly from visitors traveling to watch or take part in sports.
The obvious winners are the events and facilities that welcome visitors, but we must also consider how public transport systems, hospitality businesses, and other stores or services that benefit from an increase in travelers rely on the money that is brought in.
The tourism sector also sees an increase in dedicated trips or visits to national sites of interest as visitors make the most of their journey. While taking part in, or viewing sporting events might be the reason visitors come to Mexico, the majority of trips will not be limited to this activity alone.
Spectator Tourism
Spectator tourism refers to visitors traveling to watch a specific sport. There are a number of sports that are popular among Mexican spectators, and many of these can also draw interest from international visitors.
Soccer is the country’s most popular sport and the Mexican Primera División is home to some of the top club sides in North America. The highly competitive league is home to a selection of home-grown and international talents and welcomes fans and scouts from around the world hoping to discover the next Hugo Sanchez, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, or Chicharito.
Club America, Guadalajara, Cruz Azul, and Pumas UNAM are regarded as the “big four”, but there are many other competitive sides active in the country.
It is not just soccer that attracts visitors to Mexico, and the country’s rich history of producing some of the world’s best boxers is another draw. Canelo, Julio César Chávez, and Salvador Sanchez are just some of the names that have had a massive influence on boxing.
The Liga Mexicana de Béisbol is Mexico’s major baseball league and is yet another that attracts visitors south of the border. Many of the top Mexican baseball players make their way north to play MLB, but there are still some incredible talents that attract massive crowds in Mexico.
Event Tourism
While individual games and fights can attract visitors, major events can be a huge draw. International tournaments result in an influx of fans, journalists, and other visitors.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup is heading to Mexico, the US, and Canada for its new expanded format that will feature 48 teams.
This is massive news for sports tourism in the country and will see huge global interest, as well as a massive increase in visitors to the matches being hosted at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Jalisco, and the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon.
Participation
Mexico also welcomes thousands of visitors who want to participate in sports, with water sports like surfing proving to be popular along the country’s coasts.
Golf is also popular in Mexico, and its great weather makes it an excellent location for golfers who want to enjoy warm, sunny courses.
The post Sport Tourism In Mexico: How Much Is It Worth? first appeared on The Yucatan Times.