TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – The Arizona Bowl weekend is here, bringing excitement not only for football fans but also for local businesses in Tucson.
Local businesses along University Boulevard are seeing a significant impact ahead of the big game. Restaurant managers report that the influx of fans and visitors is providing a much-needed boost during the typically slow winter season.
The Arizona Bowl kicks off as the Miami Redhawks face the Fresno State Bulldogs at Casino Del Sol Stadium. This annual event draws thousands of fans to the area, benefiting businesses like Gentle Ben’s and Frogs & Firkin. With students away for winter break, the crowd is different, consisting more of families and out-of-town fans who are spending time and money along University Boulevard.
“For retail businesses. All the businesses up and down university. University is really the place to be during the bowl games. There’s other events going on around town but the party is always here on university,” Jonathan Graham, general manager of Frogs and Firkin, said.
“Normally during winter break we’re a little bit slower, not a lot of students around. But the Arizona bowl kinda brings out a lot of the local families and people over… Without the Arizona bowl we would be a lot slower today,” Sabrinah Herrera, manager of Gentle Ben’s, said.
