Sports Marketing and Tourism Program (STAMP)

The Sports Marketing and Tourism Account Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and was established under the Fiscal Code as amended by Acts 54 of 2022 and 34 of 2023. This program, funded through the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, is designed to attract premier amateur and professional sporting and esports events to Pennsylvania. By doing so, the program aims to enhance year-round tourism, generate significant economic impacts, and improve the quality of life in the Commonwealth through sport-based engagement. Grants through this program are open to municipalities, local authorities, nonprofit organizations, or legal entities that meet key eligibility conditions. Applicants must be involved in a competitive selection process conducted by a site selection organization located outside of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the applicant must be actively seeking to secure either a single or multi-year commitment to host a qualifying sporting or esports event in Pennsylvania. Eligible events encompass a broad spectrum of high-profile competitions, including the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, Olympic activities, the X Games, and tournaments sanctioned by bodies such as FIFA, the United States Golf Association, and the National Hockey League. Funds may be used for a variety of event-related purposes. These include preparations and operational costs for hosting events, such as marketing, technical production, media buys, hospitality, infrastructure upgrades, and site fees. Notably, financial assistance is limited to 20% of costs associated with venue improvements or land acquisition, unless the property is publicly owned. Ineligible uses include routine facility maintenance, construction of permanent venues, or relocation of professional teams. Temporary structures and event-specific maintenance are considered allowable expenses. Applications are submitted through DCED’s Electronic Single Application for Assistance system and are accepted on a quarterly basis, contingent upon funding availability. Applications are reviewed based on eligibility and expected outcomes. Applicants must provide economic projections, including media reach, job creation, and hotel room usage. Letters of support from local Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) or Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) are also required. For recurring events or those held previously in Pennsylvania, past economic impact reports should be included. Successful applicants receive an award letter and are required to sign and return the grant agreement electronically within 60 days. The program mandates that up to 10% of the awarded grant amount be allocated to providing sponsorship benefits to the Commonwealth. This includes visibility on signage, broadcast mentions, promotional opportunities, and more. Funds are disbursed via ACH transfer after submission of reimbursement requests, and all awardees are subject to reporting requirements, including final performance reporting and audits based on award size. To participate, applicants must be registered with the Commonwealth’s Vendor Registration System. Questions may be directed to the DCED’s Customer Service Center. While the program is not rolling, it does recur quarterly, with the next review cycle expected to follow the standard quarterly review structure. Additional program details and branding requirements can be found on the DCED website and in the official program guidelines released in April 2025.

Include detailed projections on spending, jobs, and media impact; ensure sponsorship benefits align with Visit PA branding goals.