An Examination of Sporting Event Direct-Spending Patterns at Three Competitive Levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine direct-spending patterns while competing in participant-oriented sporting events at three competitive levels. XTERRA off-road triathlon participants were the subjects of this study. Regional, national, and world championship XTERRA events were studied through the use of an online direct-spending survey. Results revealed that the participants, on average, were in their upper 30s, with the majority of respondents being well-educated Caucasian males with middle to upper-middle income levels. Lodging, food and beverage, and transportation were the direct-spending categories at each competitive level that realized the highest levels of direct spending. Significant differences were found to exist between direct-spending patterns at each of the three competitive levels.