Aberdeen’s return to hosting the Tall Ships Races has been officially declared a resounding success, generating more than £32 million for the local economy and attracting nearly half a million visits to the Granite City.
A new post-event impact report confirms that the July festival — which marked the Tall Ships’ first visit to Aberdeen in 27 years — far exceeded expectations, both in scale and financial return. Originally forecast to bring in between £12 and £20 million, the event ultimately delivered a total economic impact of £32.2 million, the highest figure ever recorded for a single event in Aberdeen.
Council data shows 496,000 visits were made during the four-day maritime celebration, making it Scotland’s most attended free event of the year. Visitors travelled from across the North East, the wider UK and beyond, with surveys revealing that 91% said the festival improved their perception of Aberdeen, while 94% rated their experience as good or excellent.
The Tall Ships Races brought a significant boost to hospitality, retail and tourism sectors. Hotel occupancy and room rates surged across the city, while 44% of local businesses reported higher turnover during the event. Bars, cafés and restaurants experienced record trade, with one pub manager describing the weekend as “the busiest in years”.
Concerts at Peterson Seabase featuring major acts including Deacon Blue and Kaiser Chiefs drew more than 22,000 paying fans, generating over £170,000 in ticket sales. Meanwhile, a performance by Tide Lines raised £31,000 for the RNLI.
Aberdeen City Council invested around £1 million to host the event, which officials say has already paid dividends in promoting the city as a world-class destination for major international gatherings.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said the results demonstrate the profound impact of large-scale cultural events on the region’s recovery and civic pride:
“The economic impact of bringing the Tall Ships to Aberdeen is beyond even what we at Aberdeen Inspired had hoped for when we first floated the idea of bringing this fantastic event back to the Granite City after 27 years.
Generating £32.2 million and attracting 496,000 visits is a phenomenal boost for our local economy, one that will have a real impact on our businesses, attractions and traders in the city centre. In some cases, it might even be the impetus that kept doors open for those who were struggling.
This news is, of course, a cause for celebration and vindication for all the hard work and energy poured into the Tall Ships Races by everyone, from the host partner organisations to the businesses who became sponsors and the volunteers who stepped forward.
But after the champagne corks have been popped, let’s use this high tide of success as the moment Team Aberdeen becomes a reality and we all pull together to build a better future for our city and our region.”
The report concludes that the 2025 Tall Ships Races not only strengthened Aberdeen’s global reputation but also reignited local enthusiasm for civic celebration and tourism.
City officials are now exploring the possibility of a Festival of the Sea 2026 to maintain the momentum and have confirmed that preparations are under way for a formal bid to host the Tall Ships once again in 2029.
