San Diego's two postseason college football games in December together gave a $35.3 million boost to San Diego's economy, according to a report released Tuesday by the San Diego Bowl Game Association.
The total was up nearly $5 million from the previous year, according to the study, which was conducted by the San Diego State University Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research.
"Once again, our two bowl games proved to be a huge boost to the San Diego region during the slowest time of the year for the local tourism industry," said Vince Mudd, the 2014 association president.
The study found that the 37th annual Holiday Bowl, in which USC beat Nebraska 45-42, generated $30.3 million in economic impact.
SDSU researchers said more than 39,000 fans traveled from outside San Diego County to attend the game and an estimated 25,500 or so hotel room nights were sold. Attendance at Qualcomm Stadium was 55,789.
The 10th annual Poinsettia Bowl, in which Navy defeated SDSU 17-16, had an economic impact of $5 million, according to the study. SDSU reported that nearly 9,300 from outside the county attended the game, and an estimated 5,310 hotel rooms were sold.
SDSU, as a local school, and Navy, because of the region's large military presence, have large alumni bases in the area. Poinsettia Bowl attendance was 33,077.
The games have combined to generate an economic benefit of more than $730 million for the region since 1978, according to the bowl association.
