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ReliaQuest Bowl's impact on Tampa Bay
FOX 13's Evyn Moon reports on the impact, both culturally and economically, that the ReliaQuest Bowl being played in Tampa is having on the city.
TAMPA, Fla. - Thousands in the Tampa Bay area will spend the last day of 2024 at the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
The Michigan Wolverines will face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide, and both teams arrived in Tampa on Thursday night, welcomed by fans.
The Alabama football team arriving in Tampa ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
"These are two marquee teams with great college traditions. We are expecting very good crowds, and the Tampa Bay area is great at hospitality,’ said Greg Orchard, the Board of Directors Chairman for the Reliaquest Bowl. "We are excited to be really entertaining fans, teams, and the administration of both schools that are gonna be here."
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Fans showed up at the hotels of each team to wish them well as they arrived on Thursday.
"It would be very nice to meet the coach. We are very impressed with him and have been fans forever," said Tammy and Mark Germain, Michigan fans. "I am so excited. We had no idea they'd be here, and we have never been to a game, so we are going to the game, our first actual game."
"Although it's not in the playoffs, I do hope it is a very intense game," said Marco Pratico, an Alabama fan. "It brings more viewers to Tampa; these two teams were in the Rose Bowl, too, so it's great to have two high-level teams in Tampa."
The Michigan football team arriving in Tampa ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl.
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This will also have a huge economic impact on businesses, hotels, and restaurants, and it is expected to bring in over a billion dollars to the Tampa Bay area.
"It’s a huge deal for Tampa, with the TV exposure -- ESPN at noon on New Year's Eve -- and the exposure of fans coming to the Tampa Bay area and seeing that, yes, we are open after the hurricanes we've had."
Both teams will enjoy sunshine-filled festivities before the game next week.
"Well, the teams are here to play football, so there are a few practice sessions, but there will also be a day for them at Busch Gardens and a beach day on Sunday, where thousands of the fans will be at Clearwater Beach, and hopefully they can enjoy warmer weather than Michigan."
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