Jamie, a Legends Event Center representative, told the Bryan City Council on Aug. 12 that the center is drawing national tournaments, trade shows and special events that are bringing visitors and money into the community. "We are now approaching our third anniversary, 12/10/2022," Jamie said, noting Year 1 visitor counts and year-over-year growth.
Nut graf: The Legends Event Center and Destination Bryan reported that 32 sport-tourism events tracked this fiscal year generated more than 28,000 room nights and an estimated $30 million in economic impact for the Bryan–College Station area, with promoters and the city citing a larger share of room nights staying in Bryan than expected.
The city presentation separated locally generated attendance from room nights tied to sports-tourism events. John, a Destination Bryan representative, said the 32 sports events the teams analyzed produced about 28,000 room nights and an estimated $30 million in total economic activity. City and destination staff said they conservatively tracked events that drive measurable hotel stays and noted that Legends-related events tend to place a higher share of room nights in Bryan than the regional average (about 44% of nights for Legends events, versus 26% Bryan’s share of total BCS hotel supply).
The presenters highlighted several specific successes: an early-year figure of roughly 150,000 visitors in the first year of operation, growth toward 225,000–230,000 the next year and current-year totals the presenters described as approaching 265,000 to date, with organizers saying the cumulative visit total since opening is approaching 700,000. Staff credited strong partnerships with Bryan ISD for overflow courts and event staffing, and with Destination Bryan for recruitment and hotel coordination.
Council members praised the facility. Councilman Salvato said the $30 million economic impact brings outside dollars that support restaurants, hotels and service jobs. Council members discussed possible expansion of courts and asked staff to return with cost estimates and forecasts for adding the originally planned additional courts.
Presenters called out specific tournament and event partners, including Adidas and Puma national championships, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches showcase and large career fairs tied to Texas A&M. John said three Legends events captured Texas Event Trust Fund awards this fiscal year, bringing roughly three-quarters of a million dollars in state incentive grants for events that could not be held elsewhere in Texas.
Ending: Council members thanked the Legends and Destination Bryan teams and encouraged staff to return with financial analyses for adding courts and other facility investments. City staff noted recruitment will continue and that any expansion proposals will require budget and site review.