I was thinking this same thing.

We might want one, but we don't need one. If we needed one someone would build one, same as we build restaurants, bars, refineries, breweries, manufacturing, etc without any subsidies from the gov.

I would love one for my small business, on a related note, I can't even count the times I have watched my city give millions in tax breaks to bring in already successful, wealthy, large businesses and give the local ones jack shi.

Would the business case not be - commerce generated during sporting events, multiple businesses nearby the stadium benefiting from increased foot traffic, and so on? Projected over a 10-20 year horizon, the city would likely make back its money and then some, while increasing income for businesses in the vicinity.

This is the frequently-cited theory, but most realistic studies show that it doesn’t really work out that way. I think the reasonable justification is more that having a team is an intangible good for the city, like a museum or a library, where you can’t measure the value in dollars.

You presume that money couldn’t be spent elsewhere or even gasp saved away for a rainy day or paying down a debt early.

Should each township build and operate its own cinema as well?

The 49ers stadium in Santa Clara has brought nothing but traffic, zero commercial or housing development. The Warriors' Chase Stadium helped vitalize Dogpatch but I guess one could argue that area was naturally going to be built up given UCSF expanded in that location.

If it brings traffic, it means it attracts people attending the events it's hosting. To me that's the main (or direct) purpose of it, and that (be able to host large events) is what differs big city lifestyle from others, at cultural level.

I consider "commercial or housing development" a plus, than the purpose itself.

Cities need stadiums to host all kinds of events, not limited to sports. But if you're not interested in any of these I guess at personal level you don't need it. Just like roads are useless for people who don't leave their house.

> Sincere question: Do cities really need stadiums?

Do they need most things? No, of course not do the people living there want the ability to easily attempt stadium events YES.