Philadelphia’s tourism and hospitality industry experienced a boost from the Eagles’ Super Bowl run and victory parade, an analysis published Tuesday found.
Hotels made an extra $2.7 million in revenue during the three January weekends that Lincoln Financial Field hosted NFL playoff games, according to a brief report compiled by the City Controller’s Office at the request of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Philadelphia’s visitor rate on Feb. 9 – the date of the Super Bowl – was up 44% compared to the 2018 championship, the controller found.
On the weekend of the parade, Center City hotels booked 11,000 more hotel rooms than the year prior, generating $4.3 million, though some of that increase is attributable to Valentine’s Day and conventions being held in Philadelphia, the briefing said.
Controller Christy Brady estimated that the municipal government spent about $667,000 on police overtime specifically for the parade, which was held Feb. 14.
The analysis compared some metrics to the 2018 Eagles parade and the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent championship celebrations.
Following the Birds’ victory over the New England Patriots seven years ago, downtown hotels saw a $3.3 million increase in revenue, and the parade’s $2.27 million cost was picked up by the city, state and the team, according to the report.
Kansas City, the controller found, spent about $1.5 million in police overtime for the 2023 Super Bowl parade.
The numbers were distributed a day after some Eagles players, coaches and officials met with President Donald Trump at the White House and in the context of upcoming major sports events in Philadelphia.
Next year, the city will host several FIFA World Cup men’s soccer matches, the MLB All-Star Game, NCAA March Madness basketball games and more in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the Semiquincentennial.
“The Eagles’ Super Bowl win and parade generated significant revenue for the city, but these also created unforgettable moments,” Thomas said Tuesday in a statement. “We hope to create similar moments next year when our college basketball, professional baseball and international soccer stars visit Philly.”
Thomas has organized multiple Council hearings to gauge Philadelphia’s preparedness for the 2026 festivities.
“I know that sports bring people together and boost our local economy,” he added. “I am committed to making sure that Philadelphia is fully prepared for these events to bring positive energy, safe events and economic prosperity.”
