Huge economic bump from Hyundai A-League Grand Final

With 5,000 tickets to Saturday's A-League Grand Final going to interstate visitors, Newcastle is set to reap almost $2 million in economic gains from accommodation and other spending across the weekend.

The total estimated $1.7 million expenditure by visitors for the weekend includes the positive economic impact from 5,000 overnight guests staying for two nights, as well as a conservative estimate of 1,000 day visitors from closer to home.

"We are pleased to welcome so many visitors to our city from Melbourne and around the country," said Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes. "We know that a major event of this level brings a strong positive economic impact to the host city.

"It's yet another chance for Novocastrians to showcase Newcastle as a major events city and to demonstrate just how much fun is to be had, whether it be at the football or dining in the CBD or taking in the stunning coastal views of the Bathers Way walk.

Occupancy rates for accommodation are already at 100 per cent. In 2016, when Newcastle hosted the World Grand Hockey Masters on this same weekend, occupancy rates sat at 95 per cent on the Friday and 83 per cent on the Saturday.

By comparison, the same weekend in 2017 did not have a major event scheduled and saw occupancy at 60 per cent on the Friday and 72 per cent on the Saturday.

"Extra flights into Newcastle Airport have been scheduled with an additional 1,000 passengers travelling in on flights from Melbourne alone," the Lord Mayor added.

"If you have the good fortune to bump into an interstate visitor, please take the chance to point them into our city to enjoy our restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, businesses that have been doing it tough the past few months during light rail construction.

"The economic benefits will be enjoyed across a wide range of businesses in the city. From Newcastle East to Wallsend, and even through many parts of Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens, we will all share in the economic benefits that the Jets grand final appearance has created."

Following the event, a full analysis will be undertaken to determine the actual impact of hosting the event on various segments of the Newcastle economy.