West Chester's East Side Little League helped Pennsylvania extend its streak to six consecutive years with a team at the Little League World Series (LLWS) in Williamsport. The 2026 tournament generated more than $40 million for the state, according to the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau.

The economic figure, reported by MyChesCo, reflects spending by more than 70,000 players, coaches and spectators who traveled to the 79th annual tournament, held Aug. 19-30.

"This tournament is a key driver to the local economy bringing to the region over $40m and 70,000 plus visitors during these two weeks in August," Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, said.

East Side's run to Williamsport was the program's first ever. The team survived five elimination games during the state tournament, then swept through the Mid-Atlantic Region with three straight wins, outscoring opponents 21-2, according to USA Today.

Pitcher Cole Warner struck out eight batters in the region championship, a 3-1 win over Naamans Little League of Wilmington, Delaware, on Aug. 14. Warner and Ryan Donnelly combined on the mound for that clinching game.

After the region title, Warner told the ESPN broadcast what the trip meant to him. "It feels really good, just representing Pennsylvania," he said. "The little kids that play for East Side, we set the example, so hopefully they can carry it on."

East Side's run ended Aug. 24.

The Chester County squad fell to Bayonne, New Jersey, 3-1 on Aug. 21, then lost 6-5 to Phenix City, Alabama, three days later, according to ESPN tournament results. Curaçao's Pariba Little League won the championship Aug. 30, beating Henderson, Nevada, 11-2.

East Side was the fourth straight team from the Philadelphia region to represent Pennsylvania at the LLWS, according to CBS News Philadelphia. The broader six-year Pennsylvania streak includes teams from outside the Philadelphia area in earlier years.

Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) put $175,000 from its Marketing to Attract Tourists program toward events surrounding the tournament, including the Grand Slam Parade on Aug. 18. Anne Ryan, DCED's deputy secretary of tourism, said the series provides an economic boost while encouraging repeat visits to the state.

No Pennsylvania team has won the LLWS since Levittown in 1960. East Side's season has concluded.