UFC generates €33.4 million for the Paris economy

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) event in France last September headlined by former interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane and Tai Tuivasa generated €33.4 million for the Paris region, according to Applied Analysis.

Dubbed UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa, the card attracted a sell-out crowd of 15,405 at Accor Arena racking up €3.4 million in ticket revenue, and setting a live event gate record for the venue.

The crowd consisted of 28 percent from abroad and 20 percent came to Paris for the first time to see the event. Of the attendees, 94.8 percent came to Paris just for the UFC event, with 92 percent saying they would attend another UFC card in the French capital.

The event generated $16.1 million in compensation and wages and €711,800 in tax revenue.

It also accrued 412,000 online and social media mentions, resulting in €627.1 million in total global media value.

UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa was the first-ever event held by mixed the martial arts (MMA) group in France since the sport was only legalized in the country in 2020.

According to Brian Gordon, principal of Applied Analysis, the combination of the UFC event held at Accor Arena and visitors to the greater Paris region resulted in impressive economic returns. Premium spending by UFC fans rippled through the economy to support millions of dollars in economic activity and compensation for local area workers.”

UFC will point to the study’s findings when speaking to other international cities as the MMA promotion continues to grow its presence in markets outside the US.