Record-Breaking Visitation at New York’s Olympic Authority Venues – CardBiz.ca

Record-Breaking Visitation
at New York’s Olympic Venues
CARDBIZ – Governor Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that visitation to New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) venues has shattered records, surpassing 1.2 million visits during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
This milestone cements the State’s Olympic venues as a global powerhouse for tourism, recreation, and international sport, driving economic growth across the Adirondack and Catskill regions.
“New York’s premiere Olympic venues are not only a cornerstone of our tourism economy, but they are also a center of sport excellence right here in New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “The state’s Olympic venues draw visitors and athletes from across the globe, and we remain committed to growing regional economies while supporting the next generation of top tier athletes.”
Growth was driven by sustained winter demand, modernized infrastructure, and high-profile global events. Conference center events and custom groups are not included, meaning the true economic impact is even greater.
Individual mountain venues set all-time highs: Whiteface Mountain (250,225), Gore Mountain (261,053), and Belleayre Mountain (253,175).
A stacked calendar of events amplified visibility, including the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and the FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals. These venues remain critical hubs for elite athlete development pathways in partnership with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Proof of this impact is seen on the world stage: 14 members of Team USA for the upcoming Winter Olympics are New York State hometown athletes.
The record visitation spotlights growing enthusiasm for Olympic history. Visitors are increasingly connecting with the legacy of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice”, creating a distinct “Value Add” tourism market fueled by nostalgia and collectibles.
The Jim Craig Rookie Card (#22)
The 1980 Topps set is iconic for adding specific USA Olympic symbols to player cards (like goalie Jim Craig) immediately following the gold medal win, capturing the global moment forever in cardboard.
Visitors to Lake Placid can explore North America’s second-largest Winter Olympic artifact collection at the newly renovated Museum, where rare memorabilia, 1980 souvenir pins, and high-end graded cards are seeing a massive resurgence in visitor interest and value.

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