The economic reach of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships has been laid bare in a new independent report, with the two-day meeting at Del Mar credited with generating an estimated $125 million in total industry output for the San Diego region.
The study, conducted by the Sport Management Research Institute, examined the wider effects of last autumn’s showpiece, staged at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on October 31 and November 1. It found the event supported 1,023 jobs across the area, produced $51.8 million in labour income and added $80.2 million in value to the regional economy.
The figures underline the scale of an occasion that has become one of racing’s most significant international gatherings. Del Mar hosted the championships for the fourth time, having previously staged the meeting in 2017, 2021 and 2024.
Beyond the racecourse itself, visitor spending played a central role. The report calculated applicable expenditure of $38.7 million across hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, transport and entertainment. A further $5 million was invested in venue improvements and event infrastructure ahead of the championships.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the event had brought tangible benefits to the city’s workforce and business community while strengthening the region’s standing as a global destination.
Breeders’ Cup President and Chief Executive Drew Fleming said the findings showed how the championships continue to provide lasting value for host communities, combining world-class sport with tourism growth, employment and international visibility.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President Josh Rubinstein described the 2025 edition as a special weekend for the venue and the wider city, adding that strong local support had helped deliver another successful renewal.
Attendance data also revealed the importance of travelling racegoers. Of 43,705 unique attendees, 61 per cent came from outside the area, while 82.5 per cent said the championships were the main reason for their visit.
Those visitors stayed an average of 2.5 nights and spent approximately $5,455 per party during their trip, illustrating the high-value audience attracted by the event. Spending away from the track included $11.5 million on recreation, attractions and other leisure activities.
The long-term tourism picture was equally encouraging. According to the report, 66.5 per cent of attendees said they intended to return to San Diego within the next year, while 69.7 per cent left with a more favourable impression of the region.
When compared with the 2017 Del Mar edition, and adjusted for inflation, the latest championships showed notable growth. Employment impact rose by 38.9 per cent, while total economic output increased by 12.3 per cent.
For racing and for the host city alike, the numbers paint the picture of an event whose value stretches far beyond the finishing post.
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