Juno Awards Generate a Record $17.2 Million In Economic Impact For Host City Hamilton, Ontario

Four months after Hamilton hosted the 2026 Juno Awards and Juno Week events, the numbers are in.

On July 23, Juno organizers CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) released its figures on the estimated economic impact of the Junos on Hamilton, Ontario and the region.

CARAS says the events generated $23.1 million in economic activity across Ontario, including a $17.2 million local impact in Hamilton, reportedly a record figure for a Junos host city.

Running March 26-29, the 2026 Junos reportedly drew over 7,200 out-of-town visitors to Hamilton in that time period. CARAS estimates there were more than 16,250 unique attendees and over 28,000 participations across related events and activities. Over 3,000 music industry delegates, artists and media were in attendance.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath says that ''The Juno Awards showcased the very best of Hamilton. Thousands of visitors experienced our city's music, culture and hospitality, while local businesses welcomed new customers. That's a legacy our whole community can be proud of.''

Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards, adds that ''Hamilton once again proved to be an exceptional host for the 2026 Juno Awards. Seeing that celebration also generate meaningful economic benefits for Hamilton and Ontario is a reminder that investing in Canadian music has an impact far beyond the stage.''

2026 marked the sixth time Hamilton had hosted the Juno Awards, and the first time since 2015. That run began in 1995, when the Junos moved beyond an industry-only event into a large-scale publicly attended arena event for the very first time. Those Junos were held at Copps Coliseum, the downtown arena that has been radically upgraded and renamed TD Coliseum and that served as host venue for this year's Awards.

Other central Hamilton music venues hosting Juno events and showcases this year included the Hamilton Convention Centre, The Music Hall, Bridgeworks and Mills Hardware.

By comparison, the 2018 Juno Awards Week in Vancouver reportedly generated $10.9 million in economic activity in British Columbia.

Key impacts of 2026 Juno Awards at a glance (figures supplied by CARAS/The Junos):

• $23.1 million in total economic activity in Ontario
• $17.2 million in total economic activity in Hamilton
• $5.4 million GDP generated in Hamilton
• $3.6 million in wages and salaries supported locally
• 62 jobs supported in Hamilton
• $3.7 million in visitor spending in Hamilton
• 2.7 million CBC television viewers
• 1.8 million digital streams (CBC Gem, YouTube and platforms)
• 482,000 CBC Radio listeners
• 209 Hamilton volunteers contributing nearly 2,000 hours
• $154,000 in estimated municipal tax revenue for Hamilton generated by the event.