Heritage Classic expected to bring $15-20M of economic activity to Regina

The NHL Heritage Classic is providing a large economic boost for the City of Regina.

According to John Hopkins, CEO of the Regina Chamber of Commerce, it’s almost on par with an event like the Grey Cup. He expects the NHL outdoor game to bring in between $15-20 million to the city.

“It shows that we can do these things, like a Grey Cup. It’s a really exciting weekend — and it’s not just about money, it’s about what it does for our community,” said Hopkins.

Speaking at the NHL luncheon on Friday at the International Trade Centre, Hopkins said the exposure the game provides to Regina’s new state-of-the-art facilities is even better.

“It positions us as a community that can get things done and our facility here in Saskatchewan is second to none in the country. Mosaic Stadium is the best stadium by far, anywhere in the country and so it really positions us well for other things in the future,” said Hopkins.

Regina is forming a growing list of big events to be held at Mosaic Stadium since it opened in 2016, including several concerts like Garth Brooks, Guns N’ Roses and Eagles as part of the 2018 Memorial Cup.

Mosaic Stadium will host the 2020 Grey Cup and an attempt was made to bring an NFL pre-season game to Regina before it was moved to Winnipeg.

Although the stadium was built primarily for football, it also hosted a North American Soccer League game in 2017. Mosaic Stadium was initially listed as a possible Canadian venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although it did not make the short list.

As he looks to the future, Hopkins hopes to continue to attract large events.

“We have state-of-the-art facilities now which is a reflection of the growth that we’ve seen over the years in Regina. I think it’s very, very positive for our community and the future looks bright,” said Hopkins.