DETROIT – Honolulu Blue is raking in the green.
Home games at Ford Field mean business is booming for hotels, restaurants and attractions. In the postseason, money is expected to not only stay within the city limits of Detroit but spread beyond.
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The return on victory Monday paid well. For example, data shows a home game for the Detroit Lions usually generates $10 million in revenue for hospitality.
When the Lions beat the Vikings on Sunday, hospitality also won off the field.
“That’s like a $20 million game,” said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “The fact that the Lions were able to win guarantees at least one home playoff game for us.”
The economic development organization told Local 4 the high-stakes game on Sunday brought in $15 million, which is comparable to Thursday Night Football or primetime games.
So how much does a playoff payoff? $20 million.
At Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown, its rooms nearly sold out Sunday.
“This is something that we’ve been talking about internally for months,” said Andrew Altemann, an assistant general manager at the high-end hotel. “So, it’s not – it’s not a surprise for us that we’re going to see the impact. We’ve been preparing for this since really November.”
When Ford Field is rocking, so is Mootz Pizzeria and Bar.
“The good news is the fact that they won yesterday is two more home games,” said Tony Sacco, the owner. “Cha-ching, cha-ching.”
It is good for business, everybody is happy which is great for the city, he said.
The Lions' first playoff game could be played either on Jan. 18 or 19 depending on the NFL’s schedule. With home-field advantage, Lions fans are trekking from around the state to watch the team defend the den.
Eddie Fortenbacher traveled from Muskegon to watch the team be crowned the NFC North champions again and win the No. 1 seed with his family.
“No. 1 seed, baby. You had to be here to see it,” he said. “We brought my dad here. He’s 67 years old, he’s never seen the No. 1 seed, ever. So, to be here live for him was very meaningful.”
If the Lions can host two playoff games during the auto show, it would be a big start for hospitality in Metro Detroit, Molinari said.
