Equestrian sports are once again set to create tremendous impact for The Palm Beaches with the return of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), held annually at Wellington International from January to March. The event, held in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, delivered staggering economic impacts in 2024 according to an economic impact study commissioned by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
To measure the event’s economic influence, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission partnered with Stronge Properties, LLC, and Florida Atlantic University to conduct an in-depth economic impact study. According to the findings, the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival generated $180 million in direct horse-related spending and $57.1 million in direct visitor expenditures. Additionally, the event created 161,061 paid room nights across hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.
Last year WEF, the world’s largest and longest-running equestrian festival, attracted riders from 42 countries and all 50 U.S. states. With more than 32,000 competition entries across 55 divisions, the event welcomed participants aged six to 70, ranging from amateur competitors to top-tier professionals.
Throughout its 12-week schedule, the event attracted over 111,000 VIP ticket holders and generated extensive tourism activity. On average, competitors and their teams stayed 67 days in The Palm Beaches.
A highlight of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival was its hosting of the FEI Olympic Trials for the Paris Summer Games, bringing the spirit of the Olympics to The Palm Beaches and further elevating the event’s global reach.
“The Winter Equestrian Festival continues to push the standard for sports tourism excellence in The Palm Beaches,” said George Linley, Executive Director of The Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “Its economic and tourism impact is truly unrivaled, reinforcing our region as the premier destination for equestrian sports.”
Read the full economic impact study here.
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