AUSTIN, Texas — Austin usually sees tourism slow down this time of year, but the College Football Playoff game is changing that.
With the Texas Longhorns hosting the Clemson Tigers in Austin on Saturday, experts say millions could be injected into the local economy.
Senior Lauren Kobb said she’s waited a long time to see her Longhorns back on top and can’t wait to go to the game.
“I knew it was going to happen,” Kobb said. “I am excited it’s finally here.”
According to Angelou Economics, this weekend is expected to bring in $80 million to the local economy.
Austin staple Dirty Martin’s is ready for Saturday as they expect to be packed for the unusually late home game.”It’s awesome, so exciting,” general manager Daniel Young said. “It is kind of strange game to have a home game on December 21st. Another home game right before Christmas certainly helps our business. I can imagine everything in the surrounding area is massive.”
Visit Austin expects this weekend to bring in more than $4 million in hotel occupancy tax alone with Clemson fans, and other UT fans coming in from around the state and country.
Wesley Lucas said this is huge for Austin, especially this time of year.”December is a historically slow month for us with meetings and conventions not happening this close to holiday,” Lucas said. “It’s very rare we have major events to draw this many visits, so really good for our hotels, good for our restaurants, live music venues, of course when Longhorn fans come into town they enjoy all Austin has to offer.”