THE Northern Ireland economy will miss out on at least £4.4 million due to the cancellation of the SuperCupNI due to Covid-19, the organisers have said.
Formerly known as the Milk Cup, the STATSports SuperCupNI has grown into one of Europe’s most prestigious youth soccer competitions.
The event, which would have taken place in early August, was cancelled in April for the first time in its 38-year history, due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The organisers have now confirmed a bigger version of the famous competition will take place in 2021.
They said last year’s competition was worth £4.4m for the economy, a nine per cent uplift on 2018, with around 27,000 bed nights notched up by the hospitality sector, generating some £1.8m
Despite the economic blow from the loss of the 2020 tournament, the expansion to four age groups for the first time in 2021 is expected to accelerate the financial windfall for the hospitality industry in particular.
Last summer, aspiring young players from Africa, Asia, North and South America, as well as teams from across Europe descended on Co Antrim for the weeklong festival of football.
Next year will see an additional U14 section to complement the U13 minor competition, U15 junior section and the U17 premier competition.
Victor Leonard, chairman of the organising committee said: “Recent figures have told us that we have witnessed a 400 per cent increase and the media value of the competition is now £10.2m.”
The McKeever hotel group hosted teams at three hotels, the Adair Arms, the Dunsilly Hotel and the Dunadry Hotel last summer.
The group’s marketing director, Bridgene Keeley said: “The Adair Arms enjoyed 100 per cent occupancy for the duration of the tournament since it began. This holds jobs and often leads to an increase of employee numbers over this time.
“The increase in productivity also requires an increase in the amount of produce purchased from our suppliers of which the majority are local companies. These companies supply everything from food, beverage, laundry, cleaning products, entertainment and transport to name a few.
“Overall, the event has a major impact both economically and is a promotional tool for NI regions which is of tremendous value.”
Colin Neill of Hospitality Ulster said: “The benefits created through the high numbers of bed nights and associated spend by thousands of visitors with be vital to the hospitality sector as we move forward in our recovery process.
“We look forward to working with the tournament in the coming months and welcoming its return in 2021.”
The 2021 STATSports SuperCupNI is due to take place from July 25-30.
