Football season brings economic boom to College Station

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KRHD) — Aggieland is bustling with activity as students return for the new school year, and local businesses and football season bring significant economic activity.

• During the summer, A&M Athletics generated over $6 million in revenue from two events: the Brazil-Mexico soccer game and the George Strait Concert, both of which attracted home-game attendance.
• Kyle Field is a major economic driver for the region, with an average attendance of nearly 100,000 fans at home games last year.
• The PopStroke Entertainment Group opened strategically in time for the football season, thereby underlining the economic importance of the sport in the region.

BROADCAST SCRIPT:
Last week, tens of thousands of students headed to Aggieland to celebrate the start of a new school year and the end of the summer slump for local businesses.

Greg Bartoli, founder and CEO of PopStroke Entertainment Group, the newest addition to College Station’s entertainment scene, shared his excitement, saying, “I think it’s incredible. I mean, the atmosphere here is incredible. Next week, Texas A&M starts its football season with Notre Dame, so it should be an exciting time.”

Bartoli says they opened in time for the big football season. When asked if that was intentional, he confirmed: “Yes, it was quite deliberate.”

Football is a major economic driver in Aggieland, even when it comes to tailgating. Brenda, a local shopper, says, “This is our first stop and we’ve already spent over $100. I think we’ll spend about $100 at every other store, and we have two more stops. It definitely adds up quickly.”

Last year, an average of 99,234 fans attended home games at Kyle Field, and a total of 694,639 fans attended seven home games. This year is likely to be no different, as season tickets are sold out for the second year in a row.

Bartoli says, “College Station is obviously a booming city. There are a lot of college students here. I think it has the largest student population in the United States.”

Much of that profit and recognition is thanks to Kyle Field. During the summer, A&M Athletics generated more than $6 million in revenue from two events: the Brazil-Mexico soccer game and the George Strait concert, both of which drew home-game attendance.

With seven home games scheduled this season, one thing is certain: Aggieland is back in business.