National Title Game Seems To Bring Big Money To Hotels
Welcome to the Super Bowl of college football. That’s what Tampa gets to say for the first time in the history of the College Football Playoff. It’s a momentous occasion and with all that being said, it’s going to start getting very crowded and very pricey really quick.
One may expect it to be a bit pricey considering what is at stake as Alabama faces off against Clemson. It’s supposed to be a good game, with hopefully good ratings as well. However, it may be a bit of a surprise to know that Alabama vs. Clemson is the most in-demand game ever for a College Football Playoff championship. Although this format hasn’t been around for very long to establish a high bar in its three-year history, there are a lot of reasons as to why the resale value of a ticket is more than some football fans mortgage or rent payment.
One of the things working in favor this year compared to others is the relative closeness of the match. Both Alabama and Clemson are a lot closer to Tampa than they were to their final last year in Arizona. Fans don’t have to worry about doing a cross-country flight to get there and instead can make the long drive to Tampa. Another thing is that both of these schools are very enthused about this rematch. Alabama always travels well and Clemson seems to be more energized after a very good year of football. Right now, the resale value of ticket prices are roughly $1200 give or take a few dollars. So that means big money is coming to Tampa for the game alone.
But in an event like this, it’s not always about the ticket price. There’s a whole atmosphere to it. Of course, the College Playoff Campus activities are well documented but the people, who may not make it to the game, will still be traveling in town for those events as well. Which brings up another point—hotels are going to be swimming in money like Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales. For example, the Tampa Marriott Hotel, the one that Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik also owns, will cost fans a cool $684 dollars a night via priceline.com
Hotels and tickets are one thing but local businesses are more than likely going to see an uptick in business too. People need to eat, they will want to try out some of the cool spots such as Ulele and all the other downtown Tampa restaurants–all of which was pitched before Tampa got the game. In short, Tampa is going to see some big money exchange hands and it may be the post profitable College Football playoff championship game so far.
College football fans may enjoy one of the best games of the year—and possibly the decade Monday night,but their pockets might be a little less full when it is all said and done. However, the businesses are going to enjoy it just as well.
