Sport Tourism Canada’s STEAMPRO economic impact assessment reveals that the 2025 U17 World Hockey Challenge generated $3.1 million in overall economic activity for Truro, highlighting the event’s strength as a high-impact international sport tourism driver for both the province and the host community of Truro.
Held October 31 to November 8 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, the tournament welcomed elite under-17 national teams from Canada, Czechia, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, along with thousands of spectators, scouts, families, volunteers, and partners. The event built on Truro’s growing reputation for hosting major hockey competitions and delivered meaningful economic and community benefits throughout the region.
Visitor travel patterns reflected strong engagement with the region, including overnight stays, extended travel within Nova Scotia, and sustained local spending throughout the event period. Together, these behaviours supported employment, contributed to government revenues, and demonstrated the wide-reaching benefits created through hosting international sport.
Survey feedback also points to lasting destination value. High satisfaction levels, positive perceptions of Truro, and strong intent to return all signal continued opportunity for the community to build on the success of the U17 World Hockey Challenge and grow its long-term sport tourism presence.
“The 2025 U17 World Challenge delivers a significant economic impact for our region, generating visitor spending, hotel occupancy, and meaningful benefits for local businesses, said Matt Moore, CEO, Central NS Sports & Entertainment. “We are extremely appreciative of Sport Tourism Canada for supporting the collection and analysis of this data, which allows us to clearly demonstrate the true value of hosting major sporting events. Their leadership and expertise play a vital role in helping communities like ours quantify impact, attract future events, and strengthen the sport tourism sector.”
“Having both Canadian teams meet in the final of the 2025 U17 World Challenge made for a memorable and exciting tournament on the ice, but the off-ice legacy of the event in Truro was just as impactful,” said Dean McIntosh, senior-vice president of revenue, fan experience and community impact for Hockey Canada. “We know we can always count on Nova Scotians to support our tournaments, and we look forward to hosting more events there in the future.”
“The U17 World Challenge demonstrates how international hockey events can deliver meaningful economic and tourism benefits for Canadian communities,” said Derek Mager, Sport Tourism Canada’s Senior Consultant and Program Manager of Economic Impact, who analyzed the data and prepared the report. “From visitor spending and employment to long-term destination awareness, events like this help communities such as Truro continue to grow as confident, capable hosts.”
Are you interested in using primary data collected from event attendees at your event? Work with an STC Economic Impact Consultant to analyze the actual economic impact of your event in a specific Canadian community. Contact Sport Tourism Canada today to learn more.