Mad Dogs British Pub’s Terry Corless has experienced only improvements in foot traffic year-after-year of the Valero Alamo Bowl.
SAN ANTONIO — Tens of thousands of college football fans are packing San Antonio ahead of the 32nd Annual Valero Alamo Bowl, which marks yet another big win for local businesses.
The Colorado Buffaloes are set to face the BYU Cougars on Saturday at the Alamodome.
From the River Walk to Historic Market Square, Buffs and Cougs are making their presence known not just by wearing their teams’ colors but by their spending habits.
The Alamo Bowl typically brings in more than 60,000 people to San Antonio annually while generating an economic impact of at least $40 million, according to the bowl game’s website.
Danielle Zimmer is in town supporting her son who is on the Colorado coaching staff. She’s been able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Alamo City while cheering on the Buffs along the River Walk.
“Go CU,” Zimmer said. “The hospitality’s been great, we love San Antonio. I’ve only been here two days and I love it.”
Mad Dogs British Pub is among the dozens of businesses benefiting from the brief boost in tourism.
“It’s a good lineup for us obviously this Saturday and the timing’s the best that it’s been for us,” said Terry Corless, owner of Mad Dogs Restaurant Group.
Corless has noticed business around the time of the bowl game only improves year after year for which he’s grateful.
“The quality and caliber of the Alamo Bowl and its growth and maturity has really helped us all downtown,” Corless said.
Signs and art welcoming Alamo Bowl fans can be seen throughout downtown. Within Market Square is the decades-old Mi Tierra restaurant. Inside, college football fanatics are in town.
“When people come in and see all of the Christmas lights and the décor, they feel a part of San Antonio,” said William Cortez of La Familia Cortez Restaurants. “We’ve seen a lot of travelers from Colorado coming and supporting their team and they’re here eating at our restaurants and visiting Market Square and it’s just been great.”
The bowl game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. To learn more, go here.