Applied Analysis Study: UFC 205 in New York City Generated $37.4 Million in Economic Activity

The Ultimate Fighting Championship's first effort in New York state and city, last November's UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden, generated $37.4 million in economic activity according to a study released by Applied Analysis.

UFC 205 took place on Nov. 12, 2016, featured three UFC title fights and was headlined by Conor McGregor's UFC lightweight title victory over Eddie Alvarez, generating an attendance of 20,427 and a $17.7 million live gate at MSG, the largest for any sporting event in Madison Square Garden's history.

In addition to the estimated $37.4 million in economic activity created by UFC 205, the Applied Analysis study also stated that $18.3 million in salaries and wages were generated for New York workers as a result of the event, supporting 300 jobs. Also, New York State raked in nearly $1.6 million in taxes on the UFC's ticket, event merchandise and pay-per-view sales.

The UFC’s first event in New York last November generated $37.4 million in economic activity, according to a study by Applied Analysis released Monday that was commissioned by by the mixed martial arts promotion. UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 12, 2016, which set a live gate record for the arena as well as reached new heights in social media and pay-per-view buys for the promotion, also created $18.3 million in salaries and wages for New York employees, the analysis said. An estimated 300 jobs were supported by the event. New York State also earned nearly $1.6 million in taxes generated by ticket sales, event merchandise sales and pay-per-views for the event.

“Mixed martial arts competitions have already proven to be major economic drivers across New York, and the jobs and revenue generated by this event illustrates the enormous impact of this growing industry in our state,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo in a statement Monday. “I look forward to seeing the further growth of this sport continue to foster economic activity, help create jobs, and further establish New York as an international entertainment hub.”

“We said it from the very beginning, we knew New York was going to be huge,” UFC President Dana White added. “It was a dream come true for the athletes, for the fans, and for our company to host a UFC event in ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena.’ The numbers don’t lie, a lot of people came out to support us and we’re going to keep doing this up and down the state.”