Thousands of people expected to descend on Downtown Detroit for Saturday’s Divisional Lions playoff game.
But what does that look like in terms of dollar signs? An estimated $64 million, according to Anderson Economic Group.
“Restaurants, hotels, parking, souvenirs, those are the main drivers of attendee spending,” said Tyler Theile.
Thiele, from AEG, based in East Lansing, explained the estimated economic boom for the city.
By the numbers:
“Our estimates are based on capacity attendance of 67,000 people,” she said. “Then we look at ticket prices and we include a small margin for those loyal season-ticket holders who are able to get a playoff ticket a little bit earlier than the general public and now maybe selling it for anywhere from $300 to $6,000.”
That’s all considered the direct impact, she said, estimated to be $39.3 million – and that number includes police, public safety and other costs.
“Then we think about the power that those dollars have if they’re re-spent in the local economy. That’s where we get the indirect economic impact,” Thiele said. “And we add those together for the total over $64 million.”
The projection also factors in the Pistons game that day at Little Caesars Arena and the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place, which means higher foot traffic.
“That factors into the substitution, for example,” she said. “Some of the hotels stays are not only (for the) Lions game. It’s probably the main driver though, honestly, when it comes to Saturday Night.”
She says this year’s projection of $64 million is higher than last year’s, due to inflation. She acknowledges because of the popularity of the lions and city, that number can be higher.
“So it is kind of a really cool kudos to Detroit and to the NFL and to the Lions organization, that they have able to build on the momentum of last year and expect a bigger economic impact this year.”
She says she gets asked a lot of about the NFC Championship which could also be here in Detroit – adding that at this time, she doesn’t know what that projection could bring.
