81st Hyundai Sun Bowl draws nearly 48,000 fans
It was a big day for the Sun city as tens of thousands of people flocked to the Sun Bowl for some exciting college football action.
The game kicked off at noon Saturday and it was quite a show!
Despite the cloudy weather fans enjoyed a nail-biter as Arizona State held off Duke 36- 31.
Close to 48,000 football fans packed the stadium Saturday. It made it the 23rd- biggest crowd in the Sun Bowl’s history.
“I am very pleased with what you see in the stadium right now,” Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas said.
Olivas tells ABC-7 the attendance of 47,800 was exactly what was needed to create a business boost- and a buzz for El Paso.
“That’s one of the reasons we put together these football games. To create tourism and I hope everybody in El Paso benefits. The hotels, the restaurants, the shops and everybody else,”Olivas said.
“Seeing this type of success and this type of community coming together is very exciting,” said Mayor Oscar Leeser.
Leeser said these are the crowds that are helping secure the Sun Bowl’s title sponsor and national TV spot for another five years to come.
Before the kickoff fans in the stands got to enjoy the national anthem sung by Karen Twitty, wife of Fort Bliss Commanding Gen. Stephen Twitty.
“That was the most incredible experience ever. I never sung in a venue like this,” Karren Twitty said.
During halftime a performance by country band Lonestar wowed the crowds.
“Lovely, lovely, good time, the weather got better for it and everything,” said one football fan.
But with El Paso being in the spotlight what did the out-of towners think of our city?
“Everyone in El Paso has been fantastic towards us. We’ve had a really great time and our stay has been phenomenal,” said a Duke fan hailing from North Carolina.
“The hospitality by the El Pasoans has been first-class; excellent excellent,” said an Arizona State fan.
“We’ve enjoyed the food and we went around to tour the city. It’s just a wonderful place, it’s a beautiful city. We’ll definitely be coming back to El Paso again,” said another football fan.
A big factor in the attendance was the game falling on a Saturday.
ABC-7 found out next year’s game will also fall on a Saturday. It will be on Dec. 26th, the day after Christmas.
