COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Editor's Note: The attached video aired on June 17.
In a time of what would typically be a major downtime for College Station while the majority of its student population would be away for the summer turned out to be a major profit for the city and local community thanks to two major events that took place in June.
According to a financial report from Texas A&M Athletics, the Brazil-Mexico international friendly match and record-breaking George Strait concert that took place that month generated over $6 million in revenue for the typically quiet Bryan-College Station area. During the summer months, many from the area's primarily student population return home to see friends, go on adventures or just enjoy the comfort of being around their families.
"You have heard me say before and I want to repeat my thanks to the previous administration for having the vision to bring these events to Kyle Field," Texas A&M Director of Athletics Trev Alberts said. "I would like to thank our entire staff and especially our special events and facilities staffs for their hard work. The final net revenue to Texas A&M athletics for the two events was a little over $6 million - $2.6 for soccer and $3.9 for George Strait.
The international friendly and concert saw 85,249 and 110,905 in attendance respectively, with the latter event breaking a previously set record for a ticketed concert in the United States. Prior to the concert, The Grateful Dead's 1977 concert at Raceway Park in New Jersey held the record at 107,019 in attendance.
"Not only were these events profitable, but we continue to grow the overall Texas A&M brand," Alberts remarked in a report on 12thman.com. "Additionally, our local economy benefitted greatly by bringing in people who have never been to our community."
"The cooperation between MexTour and MLS/SUM for the soccer match as well as the Messina Touring group with George Strait was outstanding," Assistant Athletics Director for Special Events Services Kindra Fry said. "We have shown the capability of handling events of this stature, and we will continue to work to bring entertainment to the community."
The athletic department said there are no entertainment contracts signed to host events at Kyle Field currently, but Alberts says he wants to make the events hosted at Kyle Field special.
"Kyle Field is a special venue, and we will make sure any event that we host will be a worthwhile endeavor."
That next special event can be seen as three weeks away when the 2024 college football season officially kicks off in Aggieland as Notre Dame and College GameDay come to town for the Aggies-Fighting Irish matchup set to kick off in primetime on Aug. 31.