OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A study released today finds last year’s College World Series generated a record $147.6 million for the Omaha metro, a 67% increase since 2019.
Amy Hornocker, executive director of College World Series Inc., said the tournament has become a bucket list event for fans who want to make the trip to Omaha.
“It’s not a rebound from the pandemic, it’s actual sustained growth that is continuing,” Hornocker said.
The nonprofit organization manages the annual college baseball tournament, which returns to Omaha in one month.
Hornocker said the tournament’s rising profile is bringing in fans from farther away.
“We’ve got higher attendance, increased out-of-state visitors, you know, the College World Series is just growing in national profile,” Hornocker said.
She said the fanbase matters for attendance, noting that teams from the Southeast travel well.
The report also mentions a growing number in job creation in Omaha. Last year, more than 1,500 new jobs were created by the success of the College World Series.
“I think these numbers capture what this event is doing and what a great job the city of Omaha is doing to support it,” Hornocker said.
Close to 400,000 fans attended last year’s tournament. More than 70% of people who attend the games are from outside of Nebraska.
CWS returns to Omaha June 12.
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