HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – As the Mississippi/Alabama High School All-Star Football Game approaches, local businesses and city officials are anticipating a significant economic uplift. Scheduled for Saturday at the University of Southern Mississippi’s M.M. Roberts Stadium, the event is expected to bring in approximately $1.5 million in economic impact. n nKristen Brock from Visit Hattiesburg highlighted that Hattiesburg will host around 85 standout senior athletes from both Mississippi and Alabama. In addition to the players, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 spectators are projected to attend, filling hotels and supporting nearby commercial activity. n nThe influx of visitors comes at a strategic time, particularly for restaurants and retail outlets near the university campus. Aimee Pugh, general manager at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, noted that December typically sees reduced customer traffic due to student breaks, so events like this provide a welcome surge in sales. n nLexi Hurst of Rock N’ Roll Sushi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how tourism directly supports income in the food service sector, especially in a business model reliant on tips. She welcomed the increased foot traffic as both beneficial and necessary during slower months. n nVisit Hattiesburg has prioritized sports and outdoor tourism over the past five years, investing in infrastructure and actively recruiting athletic events. Their efforts have yielded results, with the sports tourism segment growing by over 7% in 2024—one of the fastest-growing areas within the city’s tourism industry. n nBrock stated that the city plans to continue expanding its presence in this sector, aiming to attract more regional competitions and enhance visitor experiences. The kickoff is set for noon on Saturday, offering both a showcase of young athletic talent and a boost to the local economy. n
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$1.5M economic impact expected for MS/AL All-Star Football Game
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Hotel rooms are filling up and local businesses are adding extra shifts as the Hub City prepares for a busy weekend. n nThe Mississippi/Alabama High School All-Star Football Game is set to kick off Saturday at University of Southern Mississippi M.M. Roberts Stadium. n n“This weekend, Hattiesburg is lucky enough to welcome some of the top senior football players from across the state of Mississippi and Alabama,” said Kristen Brock with Visit Hattiesburg. n nWhile the all-stars are the main attraction, they’re also bringing fans from across both states. n n“There will be about 85 players from Alabama and Mississippi in Hattiesburg, and we expect between 10,000 and 15,000 fans cheering them on,” Brock said. n nThose visitors could mean a big boost for the local economy. n nVisit Hattiesburg leaders said the weekend is expected to generate a $1.5 million economic impact. n n“We are excited to have these all stars in and we know that this is an opportunity to have new visitors to explore all that Hattiesburg has to offer, and hopefully, they’ll come back and visit us again,” Brock added. n nBusinesses near campus are preparing for an influx of customers. n n“That is great for us in December because, typically, we know when the students are out for break, we tend to slow down a little bit over here because there’s not a whole lot of shopping going on,” said Aimee Pugh, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop general manager. “So, anything to do with sports, it’s always beneficial for us and we enjoy it.” n nLexi Hurst of Rock N’ Roll Sushi agreed, saying the restaurant will welcome the increase in foot traffic. n n“Especially for people in the restaurant industry, I mean, we do, we love tourism,” Hurst said. “I mean, it is our bread and butter, when we are able to really make a lot of our money as individuals that are … this is a tips industry,“ said Hurst. “So, we’re thankful and we’re ready.” n nSports and outdoor tourism have been a growing focus for the city. Visit Hattiesburg reported that sector grew more than 7% in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing areas of tourism in the city. n n“For the last five years, that has been a strong focus for us,” Brock said. “We have worked to improve our facilities, and to recruit more sporting events to Hattiesburg, and that has really paid off big. n n“We’re going to continue to invest in the sports sector and in growing outdoor tourism here in Hattiesburg.” n nThe Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Football Game kicks off at noon Saturday at M.M. Roberts Stadium. n nWant more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.