Last year's Fenway Concert Series delivered a resounding economic boost to the Fenway neighborhood, generating a total economic impact of $124.9 million. According to a recent study commissioned by Meet Boston and conducted by Tourism Economics, the concert series drew nearly 400,000 attendees to Fenway Park for 12 performances.

The 2024 lineup saw high profile artists such as Noah Kahan, Pearl Jam, Blink-182, and Foo Fighters visit the historic home of the Boston Red Sox.

Of the total $124.9 million impact, $42.9 million came from operational spending by entities such as Fenway Sports Group, Aramark, and concert promoters. These expenses covered staffing, event operations, security, and administration. The remaining $45.7 million stemmed from offsite spending by concertgoers, who filled nearby hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues during their visit.

This direct spending helped support 2,220 full-time and part-time jobs and generated $8.6 million in state and local taxes.

“Fenway Park is one of the most beloved ballparks in the nation, but it’s so much more than just home to the Red Sox. It has evolved into an incredible multipurpose venue,” said Martha J. Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston. “The Fenway Park Concert Series is a boon for our visitor economy and the businesses that rely on it. These concerts generate significant visitor spending, filling restaurants and hotel rooms while producing more shifts and wages for our industry workforce.”

Hotels and short-term rentals took in $14.1 million from concert attendees, while $13.2 million went to restaurants and convenience stores. Local retailers captured $8.9 million in sales, with another $6 million spent on transportation and $3.5 million on other amusements and recreational activities. On average, each concert generated $10.4 million in total economic impact, a figure that underscores the growing importance of music tourism in the city’s economy.

Neighborhood businesses echoed the positive impact in a press release from Meet Boston. Haley Fortier, owner of Nathálie Wine Bar and Haley.Henry Wine Bar, noted that concert nights often brought in more customers than a Red Sox game.

“It draws in a really fun group of clients who tend to pack our little wine bar with fun energy and enthusiasm,” she said. “It’s a fantastic addition to the neighborhood, offers significant support to local businesses, and undoubtedly enhances the cultural vibrancy of Fenway.”

More visitors also means a greater strain on city resources, however. At an April 1 Red Sox pre-season community meeting, concert noise, traffic and appropriate police staffing were top concerns for residents in attendance. A spokesperson for the Boston Police Department at the meeting assuaged concerns that this year’s contract would provide for a surplus of police staffing at concerts.

A spokesperson for Meet Boston said in an email statement that “The Red Sox cover the costs for all required city services associated with concerts.”

What began in 2003 as an experiment with a single Bruce Springsteen concert has evolved into an economic boon for the city. “Now, more than 20 years later, it’s become a signature part of summer in Boston,” said Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy in the press release.