business
Special Olympics, Stone Arch Bridge Festival expected to have an over $70 million economic impact on Twin Cities
By Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 21, 2026
· 2 min read
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Big events bring economic boost to Twin Cities
3,000 athletes are in the Twin Cities and thrilled to ...
Key takeaway RELATED: Special Olympics USA Games week starts in Blaine with torch run Organizers say the games could have an economic impact of $70 million in the metro.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The combined economic impact of the Special Olympics USA Games and the Stone Arch Bridge Festival is a welcome boost to the Twin Cities, particularly for Minneapolis businesses that have faced challenges in recent months. The surge in visitors and spectators will not only fill restaurants and hotels but also support local artists and vendors at the festival. As Erik Forsberg, owner of the Devil's Advocate restaurant, has seen his numbers quadruple since the slow winter months, other businesses in the area are likely to experience a similar uptick. The fact that many attendees, like Christine Duffin and her group from Utah, are exploring the city beyond the event venues, visiting spots like the Mall of America and local grocery stores, suggests that the economic benefits will be felt across various sectors. This influx of visitors and spending will help to offset losses incurred by the city earlier in the year.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? @keyframes spin {
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Big events bring economic boost to Twin Cities
3,000 athletes are in the Twin Cities and thrilled to ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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