Durham's sports tourism industry blossoming as fans descend on city for championships
Big ticket sporting events are bringing money into Durham's local economy.
People from all over the country are visiting for high school and college championships.
Durham County Memorial Stadium will be filled with fans over the next two days for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Kim Scott-Davis and Keisha Bunch are here to see friends and family compete.
"The last couple of meets I haven't been able to attend, but Keisha and Isaiah's mom, Betty Harris, they were able to attend and they would always videotape exactly what was going on, so that camaraderie, that family togetherness, that's what we needed," Scott-Davis said.
They traveled from Zebulon and Garner and were excited to eat at Durham restaurants.
"One of my favorite places to visit is Randy's Pizza, so I'll be stopping by there to patronize them today," Bunch said.
Grant and Gordie Flowers traveled from Washington DC for the event, ready to see all The Bull City has to offer.
"Some of his cousins are in town too, so we're going to all stay at an Airbnb here and try to find some stuff for the kids to do," Gordie said.
Events like this one are having a major impact and the Durham Sports Commission said it's committed to establishing Durham as a championship hub.
The Commission's numbers show, the NAIA Football Championship in December brought in more than $221,000 and in March, the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association Basketball Championship had an economic impact of more than $104,000.
There's more to come, the NCHSAA Boys & Girls Lacrosse and Softball Championships, along with the ACC Baseball Championship, are all happening in Durham in the next month.
