Notre Dame-Miami matchup expected to bring millions in economic impact to Michiana

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Hotels and short-term rentals across Michiana are nearly fully booked ahead of this weekend's highly anticipated Notre Dame matchup against undefeated Miami.  

 The demand is so high that some hotel rooms are listed for more than $2,000 for a single night. According to Visit South Bend-Mishawaka, nearly all 5200 rooms in St. Joseph County are full.  

 Jeff Jarnecke, executive director of Visit South Bend-Mishawaka, says a typical Notre Dame home game generates millions of dollars in economic impact.  

 "Each game has an economic impact of about 36 million across the region," Jarnecke says.   

 "Hotel rooms in Elkhart County are full [and] hotel rooms in La Porte County are usually full."

 The demand extends beyond hotels. About 1,400 short-term rentals, including homes listed on Airbnb and VRBO, are available across the area this weekend. He says those rentals are also 98% booked.  

 The economic boost is reaching neighboring communities, too. Levon Johnson, director of Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, says visitors will stay in Elkhart for gameday, since it's a 30-minute drive to campus.  

 "Spending money at grocery stores for tailgating, going to our restaurants here in Elkhart and getting their gas in Elkhart before they head over has a big impact," Johnson says.  

 While the economic impact is expected to be significant, questions remain about how recent midnight closing requirements for bars and restaurants along Eddy Street could affect local businesses, especially on a large gameday like the one this weekend.  

 Jarnecke says they're not privy to that information, but there will likely be a negative economic impact.