For Baltimore businesses, Army-Navy is about a lot more than just a football game.
The city has planned numerous events, tours and displays around Saturday?s sold-out clash at M&T Bank Stadium, which is expected to draw about 70,000 fans.
The 108th meeting between the U.S. military academies comes to Baltimore for the first time since 2000.
The city?s hotels, restaurants and retail outlets are preparing for a busy weekend, as the festivities should lead to $19 million to $20 million in economic impact, according to estimates from the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.
“It?s a great boost for the Baltimore economy,” said Nancy Hinds, vice president of public affairs for BACVA.
“You also have to look at it in terms of exposure for Baltimore,” Hinds said. “This is a game that will be seen across the country and at military bases around the world, and that?s advertising we couldn?t pay for.”
Today, the city will host an Army-Navy pep rally at Harborplace Amphitheater at noon.
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore will also host a luncheon today with keynote speaker Roger Staubach, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
On Saturday morning, about 8,000 Cadets and Midshipmen will march through the Camden Yards complex and onto the M&T Bank Stadium field before the 12:15 p.m. game kickoff.
And all weekend, the city will host Army-Navy ship, helicopter and vehicle displays at Inner Harbor.
“Even for people who aren?t going to the game, it?s a very patriotic event,” Hinds said. “To know what these men and women do for our country, you can?t help but get excited.”
The Army-Navy game has traditionally been played in Philadelphia, and it will return to the City of Brotherly Love in 2008 and 2009. Officials haven?t determined where the game will be played in 2010, but city officials are optimistic Army-Navy will soon be back in Baltimore.
“It?s quite a big deal for the city, because it?s more than just a game ? it?s the prestige of two national military academies coming to Baltimore,” said Mike Evitts, spokesman for the Downtown Partnership.
“It?s a guaranteed draw,” Evitts added. “Everybody wins, regardless of what happens on the field.”
