'It could go up to about $10 million per night': World Series pumps $26 million into Houston's coffers

The Houston Astros may have fallen short of a World Series title for the second time in three years, but the City of Houston is an economic winner with an estimated $26 million impact.

Izabel Torres, who's a manager at Christian's Tailgate, told KHOU that the World Series had brought the restaurant a surge of customers.

“It’s packed in here. It’s really packed. You can barely move in here sometimes," she said.

Among those that benefited the most were businesses within the vicinity of Minute Maid Park, where locals and visitors mingled together and watched the Fall Classic, according to KHOU.

The Houston First Corporation has estimated that the World Series would end contributing roughly $30 million to the city and surrounding area.

After the Astros defeated the Braves in a come-from-behind Game 5 victory, they came home and lost Game 6 as their offense sputtered and pitching was overwhelmed by the Braves hitters. 

Cobb County, where the Braves play, was expecting an economic impact of $5 million every night that the Braves played at Truist Park

“It could go up to about $10 million per night, but that figure might be on the high side,” said Tom Smith, Emory economics and business professor with the Goizueta Business School. “But I think you’re looking at somewhere between $15 million and $30 million if all three of the scheduled games are held.”

The sports economist, however, has reported that their research did not find that there was economic impact from postseason games.

“Bars and restaurants near ballparks will do a lot more business than they would have if the game was not played,” they stated. “Stores that sell jerseys, caps and memorabilia will also enjoy increases in revenues. But this spending does not represent a net increase in economic activity in a city.”