Army Navy Game Expected To Draw Big Business
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --- It's one of the biggest rivalries in football and it is coming here to Baltimore. The annual Army Navy game kicks off Saturday. Tracey Leong explains how businesses in town have been gearing up for months.
It has been seven years since the teams battled it out at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore businesses are expecting big crowds for the sold out game.
The U.S. armed forces will go head to head at M&T Bank Stadium for one of America's longest running rivalries.
"One of the biggest economic impacts we have at the stadium," E.D. Maryland Stadium Authority, Michael Frentz said.
Baltimore is expecting a huge boost of $36 million. With more than a third of the tickets being sold to out of towners, restaurants and hotels are planning ahead.
"Actually got us off the ground running... we have a pretty good occupancy on day one opening and day two and day three," general manager of Hyatt Place, John Parker said.
Restaurants throughout the city are filling up faster than expected.
"Having to turn down a lot of guests that are coming in just for the game and heard about us, people booked up a month in advance," Kara Turner with La Scala Restaurant said.
Thousands of people will be pouring in to watch the Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Nights battle it out on the field.
"Alumni from two of the leading institutions in the country, political leaders, military leaders, business leaders," Frentz said.
With all these people coming for the game, businesses said it's the perfect way to highlight the city.
"Kind of all came together," Parker said. "We are grateful to be open for the game."
Saturday will be the fifth time the Army Navy game will be played in Baltimore. Most people who are coming from out of town to see the game are expected to stay until Sunday.
Special coverage of the game day begins at 12 p.m. Saturday.
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