Notre Dame's historic playoff season leaves a lasting economic impact
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - - Notre Dame's football season left more than just fans celebrating.
Visit South Bend Mishawaka says more than 60 percent of the 5.7 million visitors to St Joseph County came because of the University of Notre Dame. But that number skyrocketed during the Irish's historic playoff season!
Executive Director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka Jeff Jarnecke says a regular season, with six to seven weekend games, brings more than $36 million to the region. During the start of the Fighting Irish’s playoff run in the week of Dec. 20, 2024, Visit South Bend Mishawaka reported hotel revenues surpassing $4 million, compared to just $850,000 in 2023.
During their home game against Indiana, hotel occupancy exceeded 85 percent, with about 4,200 rooms filled. On top of that, 88 percent of the 1,400 private rental residences in the area were occupied.
But their impact goes beyond South Bend as Notre Dame earned $4 million dollars for qualifying in the college football playoff, another $4 million for making it to the quarterfinals, an additional $6 million for reaching the semifinals, and another $6 million for the national championship game.
Jarnecke contributes the success to not only Notre Dame but the employees making the South Bend experience quite the touchdown.
"It's those folks that are on the front lines that greet you when you enter into that restaurant or to that hotel, to those that are running the attractions throughout the county that really make this a special place. And certainly, the diverse offering that we have here, not in terms of just the attractions and the venues, but also in terms of the folks who are working here and the folks who are coming to visit us along the way, across all four seasons. We collectively really work hard to make this that Hoosier hospitality element and provide that in real time," Jarnecke said.
During Notre Dame's historic playoff appearance, Visit South Bend Mishawaka seized the opportunity by investing in incremental media campaigns on ESPN platforms to showcase South Bend to a national audience.
If you searched up Notre Dame or South Bend, you likely saw ads encouraging you to explore and book a stay in St. Joseph County.
Jarnecke says it's part of the "Bend Your Rules" campaign highlighting all the attractions the city has to offer.
Jarnecke says when the football season ends, it's typically the start for the slowest months for tourism. He says the information center is focusing on year-round destination marketing to attract visitors even in the off-season.
"We're optimistic about the coming year and what the future holds, and certainly the extended run through the playoffs for University of Notre Dame the Fighting Irish. But that message traveling the world over. We think we'll do some really incredible things all the way through this summer, and so we cheer on the Irish again this fall in Notre Dame Stadium," Jarnecke said.