A new report says the INTRUST Bank Arena has generated an estimated $168 million in new economic activity for the Wichita area during its first ten years of operation.
The numbers are from a study conducted by the arena and the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University.
The report shows an average annual impact of $16.8 million in new economic activity. The number includes retail spending, hotel spending and event revenues. Local visitors to the arena also spent an additional $191 million. The arena generated about $12 million in tax revenue over its first ten years.
The arena is celebrating its tenth year in 2020, but Sedgwick County commissioners were told this week that 2019 was the third best year for the arena. A 10th Anniversary Concert Series continues with Blake Shelton on March 11th and Cher on April 22nd. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will return to the arena in 2021 with first and second round games. The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship will have regional games in 2022, the first time that Wichita has hosted the women’s tournament.
