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Arts and entertainment reports record attendance and economic impact; Bloomington Bison season fuels arena use
Summary
Arts and Entertainment director Anthony Nelson and marketing manager Josh Mobaugh reported FY25 attendance of about 250,000 across the arena and performing arts center, a projected local economic impact of $23–$37 million, and significant revenue from Bloomington Bison games; staff flagged continued event growth and partnerships for FY26.
Bloomington’s Arts and Entertainment department reported strong fiscal year 2025 results on Monday: combined attendance surpassed 250,000, event days rose sharply, and staff estimated $23 million to $37 million in local economic impact from venue activity.
Anthony Nelson, Arts and Entertainment director, said increased bookings and higher‑demand attractions helped drive the gains. Nelson and Josh Mobaugh, marketing manager, presented venue metrics showing about 184,000 arena attendees and roughly 67,000 patrons at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA). Mobaugh said the department produced 201 event days in FY25, a 68% year‑over‑year increase.
The presentation highlighted the Bloomington Bison professional hockey team as a key partner: of roughly 184,000 arena attendees, about 102,000 were Bison ticket holders. Staff reported net city revenue from Bison events of about $1.1 million, of which roughly $800,000 came from food and beverage sales. The Bison also reported community engagement and charitable contributions; staff noted early season‑ticket renewal momentum for FY26.
At the BCPA, the department reported record gross revenue (about $2.2 million) and 14 shows that each sold more than 1,000 tickets; Pete Davidson’s two shows were the venue’s highest‑grossing single night (about $200,000). Ticketing data showed 25,600 unique ticket buyers, with 76% of attendees from outside Bloomington ZIP codes and 21% from outside Illinois.
Nelson said staff expect continued growth in FY26 as more events are booked and the department pursues efficiencies. Council members praised the season and asked about season‑ticket numbers for the Bison; staff said the team sold about 7,26[0] season tickets in the second season and already has more than 1,000 season tickets sold for the next season.
No council action was required; staff said full presentations and PowerPoints would be posted on the city website.
