Acrisure Arena Injected $168.5M Into Local Economy During 2023: Report

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — An economic impact report has revealed that Acrisure Arena near Palm Desert boosted the local economy by almost $170 million in 2023, city officials announced Wednesday.

The venue injected $168.5 million in total and supported almost 2,000 jobs, surpassing 2023 projections in areas such as annual direct spending and labor income, according to the report by Tourism Economics.

"We are thrilled to see the remarkable economic contributions that Acrisure Arena has brought to Greater Palm Springs in such a short time," said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. "The arena has not only become a beacon for world-class entertainment but also a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in our region."

Acrisure Arena hosted 117 events in the previous calendar year, attracting about 850,000 attendees, more than 20% higher than projected per event. The 11,000-capacity arena was primarily a site for concerts and home games for the American Hockey League's Coachella Valley Firebirds, who recently finished the 2023-24 season as runners-up for the second time in a row.

The AHL Board of Governors also unanimously designated Acrisure Arena to host the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic.

"Acrisure Arena stands as more than just a venue," said John Page, Senior Vice President of Acrisure Arena and the Firebirds. "It's a vibrant hub of community spirit and economic vitality."