Football fans are flying into the Valley by the thousands ahead of the 45th Annual Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
The top destination Thursday for many Ohio State and Notre Dame fans was Old Town Scottsdale. Banners are hanging for both teams at bars around town.
The Ohio State Buckeyes held their pep rally in Old Town while Notre Dame hosted its party at the Kieland Westin.
Many of the fans will stay in the Valley throughout the weekend and that means sightseeing, hiking up the iconic Camelback Mountain, staying in hotels and eating out. The Fiesta Bowl organization estimates a $1 billion impact on Arizona’s economy over the past five years.
The last time the Valley was a “triple host”—hosting the Fiesta Bowl, Cactus Bowl and National Championships—was in the 2010 season.
The three games brought 90,000 out-of-state visitors who collectively spent a total of a$350 million.
