Winter Equestrian Festival Adds $607.3M to Palm Beach GDP, Up 13%
Wellington – – October 12, 2026 -- The 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) contributed $607.3 million to Palm Beach County's gross domestic product, a 13% increase from 2025, according to an economic impact study prepared for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The result brings the event's cumulative GDP contribution to $1.5 billion over the last three years.
Visitor spending supports 5,586 jobs across the county
Riders, owners, trainers and visitors attending the 13-week competition at Wellington International generated $362.8 million in direct spending. That spending supported 5,586 jobs and produced $174.9 million in labor earnings.
Participants and spectators booked 172,899 paid room nights in the county's lodging industry. Nonresident participants stayed an average of 2.2 months, or 61 nights, and the average party included 2.54 people.