Now
69
Tue
81
Wed
67
by Jahmal Kennedy
TOPICS:
AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin and local businesses are preparing to welcome an influx of visitors coming to town for Texas’ faceoff against Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
It’s the first year of the 12-team playoff system and more teams in the field means they’ve shifted some games to the host sites of schools.
That change brings new economic opportunities to cities like Austin, which will host visitors this weekend.
“As a college football fan, you can't be more excited to host the first-ever College Football Playoff in Austin,” said Austin Sports Commission Executive Director Drew Hays.
There’s a palpable excitement in Austin surrounding this weekend’s CFP game between Texas and Clemson.
“We've never had home games in December, so to have this opportunity now is just a huge success for our local businesses,” said Hays.
Hays says the traffic expected to come from the game should translate into dollars for plenty of downtown businesses, restaurants, and the like.
Drew Hays is the Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission. He says the traffic expected to come from the game should translate into dollars for plenty of downtown businesses, restaurants, and the like.
“And maybe even our bars and our nightlife as well,” Hays added.
ALSO| UT Longhorn fans scoop up college playoff gear for Clemson matchup
Hotels and lodging businesses are also expected to see major impacts from visitors this weekend.
“It was kind of exciting for us because as soon as that game was announced on the 8th, we went up at least 20 points in occupancy,” said W Austin General Manager Joanna McCreary.
The W Austin is located on Lavaca Street, just two miles from DKR Texas Memorial Stadium – the site of Saturday’s game. McCreary is expecting a busy crowd for the game.
“We anticipate, particularly the Saturday night, to be double the occupancy we would be in any previous year, the weekend before Christmas,” said McCreary.
The hotel general manager calls this upcoming weekend a unicorn – saying the weekend before Christmas is typically a slow one for hotels. Hays calls this upcoming weekend one that’s desperately needed.
“We need tourists in December, it's one of our slower months year over year,” said Hays.
Hays says the crowd coming in for the game will be good for the economy, and on top of that, he’s excited to share the city of Austin with first-time visitors.
“It's one of those experiences you want a tourist to have is to come and have fun,” said Hays.
Texas will take on Clemson this Saturday at 3 p.m.
