News
Fantasy of Flight Event to Generate $6 Million in Revenue
Published: Thursday, October 01, 2009
Fantasy of Flight to host PSP World Cup Paintball Championship
AUBURNDALE - The paint will be flying in Polk County next week.
One of the largest paintball championships in the United States, the PSP World Cup, will be held Oct. 7-11 at the Fantasy of Flight attraction in Auburndale.
The event is expected to bring more than 5,000 competitors and an additional 5,000 spectators to the area, according to a Polk County government news release. County officials say the event could generate more than 11,000 room nights and a significant amount of daily visitation from paintball enthusiasts, creating a potential economic impact of more than $6 million.
Competition will take place each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to most fields is free, with the pro field admission being $10.
"This event couldn't come at a better time," said Polk County Commissioner Bob English, chairman of the Polk County Tourist Development Council. "In light of the state's sagging tourism revenues, the PSP World Cup represents an important economic shot in the arm for Polk County and the state of Florida."
PSP hosts five events throughout the year, in places such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte, N.C. The World Cup is the largest event for paintball competitors and also is considered to be the most prestigious paintball tournament in the United States. The event has been held at Disney's Wide World of Sports near Orlando for the past six years.
"We are very pleased to host this outstanding event in Polk County and would like to thank one of our great Polk County attractions, Fantasy of Flight, for working with us in bringing these athletes and spectators to the area," said Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing.
"The World Cup is the crown jewel of tournament paintball; more players, more spectators, more vendors, more buzz, more significance than any other event in the industry," said Lane Wright, chief operating officer of PSP events. "In addition to the competition, we will also host the world's largest paintball trade show, where everyone that's anyone comes to debut their latest and greatest gear for the upcoming season."
PSP runs four major events around the country each season. The 2009 PSP season started Feb. 19-22 with the Phoenix Open in Glendale, Ariz., at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Mid-Atlantic Open followed April 30-May 3 at PBC Sports Park in Rock Hill, S.C.; then the Chicago Open was held June 24-28. Those events lead into the World Cup.
Tagged: Fantasy of Flight