Chad Davis / CC
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The highly-anticipated non-conference college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will no longer be held at Lambeau Field this fall. In fact, the game won’t be happening anywhere this year after the Big Ten Conference announced they would only be playing conference games.
The loss of any football game in the Green Bay area means a lot of outside dollars not flowing through the local tourism industry – or the economy.
“Economic impact for that game, we expect would be in the $15-$16 million range. When you look at a city our size, there’s really nothing that you can book to replace that,” says Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau President Brad Toll, “But we certainly understand safety is paramount and the most important thing. We’re disappointed, certainly, but we will move on.”
Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau President Brad Toll. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau)
It’s virtually impossible to make up that kind of money, which is why Toll says he’d welcome any kind of rescheduled event down the line with open arms. The local convention and meetings business has already lost approximately $70 million in economic impact since COVID-19 related restrictions were implemented back in March.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear what the exact percentage of fans allowed into the Frozen Tundra will be for professional games this fall. Simple math shows that any kind of limit to admittance will create a cut in the money coming in.
“If they cut the fan percentage down to 25%, basically we would lose 75% of the $15 million,” Toll tells WTAQ News, “We know that about 87% of the fans that go to games at Lambeau Field don’t live in Brown County. So the impact that comes from a game, from a tourism perspective, that’s why it’s so great…The Packers are very, very aware of that. They’re working very hard in trying to find a way to work with health officials and the state and the NFL to have some sort of season, and we’re very grateful for that.”
But no matter what the restrictions may be, Toll says they would welcome any percentage that is made possible because something is better than nothing.
The Packers are working with the community to provide the safest possible experience at Lambeau Field, while Toll says the Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to work diligently with other local businesses to make sure a similarly safe experience is seen outside of the gates.
The hospitality industry is beginning to see some improvements as well. Typically in the fall, hotels would be in the 60% capacity range. Recent numbers hit 39% following a low of 16% capacity. Toll hopes to at least get them back to 50% capacity for events this fall.
It’s also difficult to make up for major losses like football games and conventions, but there are hopes that local residents may be willing to help out as much as they can.
“I’ve never seen tourism facilities hurting at the level they’re hurting right now. If they’re going to survive, they need business. We’re hopeful that people will get out and become tourists in their own home town,” Toll says.
For a list of places to eat, stay, or visit – head to GreenBay.com.
Comments