Milwaukee Bucks Championship Brought $57.6 Million To City

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Milwaukee Bucks playoff and championship games created $57.6 million in direct and indirect spending in the city, according to a report from Visit Milwaukee.

Three rounds of playoffs games generated $29.6 million of economic activity, and six games of the NBA Finals created another $28 million.

The games generated estimated spending in the following categories.

• Lodging: $8,424,845.
• Transportation: $4,258,004.
• Food and beverage: $5,219,209.
• Retail: $5,819,003.
• Recreation: $6,586,263.
• Space rental: $38,521.
• Business services: $1,210,430.

The following occupancy rates were reported for hotels in downtown Milwaukee for both home and away games.

• Round one (four games): Average occupancy of 52 percent. Average daily rate of $128.
• Round two (seven games): Average occupancy 50 percent. Average daily rate of $133.
• Round three (six games): Average occupancy 55 percent. Average daily rate of $136.
• Finals (six games): Average occupancy 64 percent. Average daily rate of $143.

The total economic activity figures included money spent for lodging, transportation, food and beverages, retail, recreation, venue rental and business services, the bureau said in a statement.

The data also included estimates for direct and indirect economic effect, which is the money that businesses spent to support activity at the games and the money spent by employees of those companies.

The championship run generated $1.107 million in total local taxes, the bureau said.

Hotel demand was driven by Bucks' fans, sports media, NBA officials and corporate partners in July. There weren't many other events at that time to generate significant hotel spending.

“We’re incredibly grateful that the Milwaukee Bucks’ fantastic run brought a vital boost to our economy,” Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said. “These dollars pumped much-needed life into many of the businesses that struggled the most during the pandemic, and they helped support thousands of jobs. I’m now hoping our beloved Milwaukee Brewers and their forthcoming post-season can do the same.”