CWS: Omaha's Economic Engine
College World Series drives $148 million economic boom in Omaha, showing continued growth.
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The College World Series pumped nearly $148 million into the Omaha economy last year, and 2025 is on pace to beat that record. Omaha World-Herald reports that attendance at Charles Schwab Field and spending at downtown businesses have both tracked above last year's historic levels through the first six games of the tournament.
The surge reflects a 67% jump in per-person spending since 2019, when the event generated $88.3 million. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who authored the impact study, says the CWS has transformed from a baseball tournament into a full-blown vacation destination, according to Fremont Tribune.
Per-Visitor Spending Jumps 67% Since 2019
Goss's study puts the per-person economic impact at $147.60 per day in 2025 — up from roughly $88 in 2019. That six-year, 67% increase is driven by a shift in who is attending. Kearney Hub reports that Goss found more high-income fans traveling from states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. These visitors aren't just buying tickets. They're booking luxury suites and dining at upscale steakhouses.
The event now supports roughly 1,100 seasonal and full-time jobs and generates an estimated $10.5 million in state and local tax revenue each year. The NCAA holds a contract with Omaha through 2035. That long-term deal gives local businesses the confidence to invest heavily in the area year-round, according to Journal Star.
Downtown Omaha Businesses Report Unprecedented Crowds
Bar and restaurant owners near Charles Schwab Field say this year's crowds have been record-breaking. Nick Hogan of the Mattress Factory, a popular bar near the stadium, told local media that "CWS month" now makes up 30–40% of his annual revenue. Businesses in the Old Market and Capitol District echo that sentiment, calling the first six games of 2025 "unprecedented."
The stadium's permanent home in Omaha — it has hosted the CWS since 1950 — gives local owners a major advantage. Unlike events that rotate cities, businesses here can plan years ahead. Star Herald notes that three new high-density hotels opened within walking distance of the stadium between 2022 and 2025, all built because of the long-term NCAA contract.
Critics Question Whether $148 Million Stays in Omaha
Not everyone celebrates the numbers at face value. Some urban planners argue that impact studies like Goss's use economic multipliers that overstate actual benefits. Their concern is "leakage" — a term for money that flows out of the local economy to national hotel chains, corporate vendors, and the NCAA itself. The true wealth retained by Omaha residents, critics say, is significantly lower than $148 million.
Rising ticket prices add another wrinkle. Premium seats on secondary markets like StubHub and SeatGeek now average $150–$300 per game. Community advocates argue that the 67% jump in per-person spending is partly a sign that average Nebraska families are being priced out. Kearney Hub notes the debate over whether the CWS is still a community event or has become an elite travel experience.
Omaha's Grip on the CWS Grows Stronger Heading to 2035
The city's contract with the NCAA runs through 2035, and the current economic data gives Omaha a strong hand in any future renewal talks. Mayor Jean Stothert has pointed to the $148 million figure as justification for continued public investment in stadium improvements and the downtown "Fan Fest" footprint. The city is also expanding its ORBT rapid transit line to handle the growing crowds.
Amy Scott, president of College World Series of Omaha, Inc., summed up the shift clearly. The 67% increase in per-person spending, she said, shows that "the CWS is no longer just a series of games; it is a vacation destination for families across the country." With all 2025 indicators pointing upward, Fremont Tribune reports Omaha is on track to set yet another economic record before the final out is made.
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