The 84th edition of the Magic City Classic, held in Birmingham, Alabama, is projected to deliver a substantial economic boost to the region, with organizers anticipating a financial impact exceeding $25 million. Perren King, executive director of the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola, expressed overwhelming gratitude, noting that approximately 69,000 attendees filled Legion Field for the annual football showdown between Alabama State and Alabama A&M. n nWhile final figures for attendance, including tailgating events, and total economic contribution are still under review, preliminary assessments suggest a record-breaking year. King cited packed hotels, congested traffic, fully booked restaurants, and high demand across entertainment venues as strong indicators of robust economic activity. n nAccording to a city-commissioned study, last year’s event generated around $26 million for the state, with over $20 million retained within Birmingham’s local economy. This year’s numbers are expected to match or surpass that benchmark. The Classic continues to serve as a major driver of tourism and regional revenue, drawing visitors from across the Southeast and supporting local businesses during a key weekend. n— news from WBRC 6 News
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Magic City Classic organizers expect record-breaking attendance, millions in economic impact
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) -The 84th Magic City Classic is officially in the books, and early indicators suggest this year could be one of the biggest yet. n nPerren King, executive director of the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola, says he’s trying to find a way to say thank you 69,000 times, that’s how many people packed into Legion Field for Saturday’s matchup between Alabama State and Alabama A&M. n nWhile the official crowd count, including tailgaters, and the total economic impact are still being calculated, King says the numbers are expected to reach into the millions. n n“Just understanding what the hotel volume was and seeing how difficult it was in traffic and understanding that restaurants were booked up and all of the other venues that kind of house food, celebrations, and all of the other things we’re all on wait so I think we’re going to go north of $25 million,” King said. n nAccording to a study from the City of Birmingham, last year’s Classic generated about $26 million for the state. Of that total, more than $20 million stayed in Birmingham. n nGet news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.