Canes' Stanley Cup Final run brings $13.4M economic impact to Wake County

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run delivered a major economic boost to the Raleigh area, generating $13.4 million in total impact for Wake County.

New data released Wednesday by the Hurricanes, Visit Raleigh, and the NHL shows the team’s playoff success — highlighted by sold-out home games, watch parties and a championship parade. In all, attracting more than 112,000 visitors who traveled to North Carolina from all 50 states and two countries.

Those events generated:

• $13.4 million in total economic impact
• $255,024 in tax revenue
• More than 6,700 hotel room-nights in Wake County

Local business owners say the surge in crowds translated into significant gains.

“We did more on that day than we did like the three weeks prior,” said Anthony Rapillo of Veloce Italian Market, located near City Plaza, which hosted large crowds during Saturday’s celebration. Rapillo said demand began early on parade day.

“I got here early, like 7:00, just to light the ovens, and it was busy when we got here. There was a line waiting and it kind of stayed that way all the way through the day,” he said.

The economic impact reflects new spending brought into the area, according to Scott Dupree, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance.

“That is new money coming into the market. That’s visitor-based. It’s visitors coming into the market. The money they spend in hotels and restaurants and retail and generating new dollars for the economy and generating new tax revenues,” Dupree said.

Businesses beyond downtown also benefited. At Smoky Hollow, watch parties helped draw attention to newer establishments, including La Cucina Italiana.

“Compared to February, we were up almost 50%, which is huge,” said owner Far Arbabi. He added that the exposure helped establish the business.

“We’re still pretty new over here and it put us on the map. Just everyone’s aware that we’re here, what we are, what we do. And they brought in so many people even during the games and then after the games, people came back,” he said.

For some business owners, the playoff run provided a needed boost during slower periods.

“When you have something that isn’t really planned and all of a sudden your favorite team goes on a playoff run and you get to end it with the Stanley Cup, it’s just so needed, and just helps balance out some of those slower days,” Rapillo said.

Economic development leaders say the numbers could strengthen Raleigh’s case for attracting additional professional sports franchises.

“I think Major League Baseball is very aware of Raleigh and this in the Triangle Market. (...) what we saw over the last two months during the Stanley Cup finals run could only strengthen and even further establish Raleigh as a major league sports city, even though it already is,” Dupree said.

As the Hurricanes look ahead to future seasons, business owners and local officials alike say the team’s success has already delivered lasting benefits, both financially and in raising the region’s national profile.

Governor Stein shared this statement about the new data: “For too long, people said that North Carolina isn’t a hockey state. But when our boys brought home the Stanley Cup, Caniacs poured into the streets to prove that Raleigh is a world-class sports town. The excitement, visitors, and economic boost from the Stanley Cup Playoff run is great for businesses that call Raleigh home, and North Carolina is ready for whatever comes next.”