Notre Dame-Miami game brings tourism boost to neighboring South Bend areas, especially Elkhart County

ELKHART, Ind. -- Notre Dame's highly anticipated football matchup against Miami brought thousands of fans to the South Bend area this weekend, with the tourism impact extending into neighboring communities, like Elkhart County.  

With almost all hotels at maximum capacity in South Bend, some visitors had to look elsewhere for accommodations. Even Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy posted on X he was staying 30 minutes from campus.  

Terry Mark, director of communications for the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said it was a particularly busy weekend, with most hotels in the Elkhart area sold out.  

Mark says those visitors staying in Elkhart may have also helped support local businesses.  

"Our belief is that people staying in our hotels also perhaps went to eat at local restaurants or went shopping, or maybe did something on Sunday or the time around the game," Mark says.  

While Elkhart was one area that received an influx of visitors and boost to its economy, Mark says it's a common misconception that football season is when the area sees the most tourists.  

"I wouldn't say so. I think summer and fall are our biggest months. We have a pretty strong product for people to experience in the summer between our quilt gardens, Amish country, local festivals and events," Mark says.