WORCESTER—Some still refer to it as the Centrum, and remember Frank Sinatra’s grand opening show, or when Boston sold out multiple nights, and Springsteen kicked off his Tunnel of Love tour there.
But call it what you will, the DCU Center, as it has been known since Digital Federal Credit Union renamed it in March of 2005 after purchasing the naming rights in 2004, has been the epicenter of major entertainment in these parts for decades.
The DCU Center announced on Wednesday that it generated more than $200 million in direct economic impact for Worcester over the past decade, according to a new study commissioned by Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) and conducted by CSL International. The report, say officials, puts the spotlight on the venue’s significance as a major driver of tourism, job creation, and local business revenue.
The study, funded as part of DCU’s recent naming rights renewal, revealed that the arena and convention center contributed approximately $204 million in direct spending between 2016 and 2024, excluding the pandemic years. This translates to an average of $27.6 million annually, reinforcing the venue’s role as a key economic engine for Central Massachusetts.
“The findings of the study continue to illustrate what we all know — that the DCU Center is a major catalyst of economic vitality for downtown Worcester,” said City Manager Eric Batista in the announcement. “The value proposition envisioned for the arena and the convention center continues to hold true.”
Beyond direct spending, the study found the DCU Center’s total economic output reached nearly $341.4 million during the analysis period, generating more than $25 million in tax revenue and supporting between 521 and 769 full-time equivalent jobs annually.
The venue’s visitor numbers are surging, according to the announcement, with 691,800 visits in 2024—a daily average of 1,895 guests. Notably, 145,100 visitors came from more than 50 miles away, highlighting the DCU Center’s regional draw. Attendance has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 20%, despite the total number of events reaching 90% of pre-pandemic figures.
Boosting local business
The DCU Center’s impact extends beyond the arena, fueling Worcester’s hospitality sector. The study reported:
- $7.3 million in annual hotel spending, with 32,700 room nights booked per year
- $8.6 million in dining revenue annually, as event organizers praised the city’s restaurant options
- Continued downtown improvements driving positive perceptions among event planners
However, the report also flagged concerns about hotel availability, noting that limited room blocks pose challenges for large-scale events and that potential hotel closures could negatively impact the market.
Looking ahead
With Worcester’s tourism sector on the rise, Discover Central MA President Monique Messier-Joseph said that the study’s findings will guide future marketing efforts. “We will use the information gleaned from this study to work with ASM Global on strategies that will help Worcester grow our visitation of 700,000 in 2024 to over 900,000 by 2030,” she said.
ASM Global General Manager Sandy Dunn echoed the optimism, crediting DCU, event planners, and Worcester’s fan base for the venue’s success. “The strength of the numbers shown in this study provides a great outlook for the future, and we feel extremely confident in the continued success of the DCU Center and the impact we have on the community,” Dunn said.
To view the full study, visit dcucenter.com.
