Hosting Games of Texas will produce $8 million economic windfall for Brownsville

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – Let’s play in 16 games at the Games of Texas-Brownsville.

The sporting extravaganza will take place July 25-28 throughout some of the city’s outdoor and indoor venues such as at the Sports Complex, the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center and stadiums from the local school district.

The four-day event – the second in as many years – was announced Friday, June 28, by city and chamber of commerce officials at the Communications and Marketing Department Complex on Adams Street.

As many as 8,000 athletes plus friends and relatives from all over the state are expected to descend into the Rio Grande Valley’s largest city, and southernmost city in the Lone Star State.

And that’s expected to result in an economic rainfall of some $8 million.

According to figures released by the city, $4.8 million in taxes were collected during the Games of Texas in 2023. That included $4.6 million from sales taxes collected and more than $2 million from the hotel/motel tax – an increase of 93 percent over the same month in 2022.

Esmy Villarreal, the chamber CEO, and City Manager Helen Ramirez, said businesses such as hotels, R&B, restaurants, retailers, convenience stores and others, will reap the benefits of such an influx of visitors.

“This is going to be great for everybody because of the economic impact,” Villarreal said. “We also want everybody to know the history of our city.”

She said Brownsville is a dynamic city, has one of the nation’s top zoos, revitalized downtown and plenty of walking and bike trails, among other things.

Ramirez agreed.

“Part of the TAAF contract requires us to contact the business community here and elsewhere,” she said. “This is a regional event.”

TAAF is an acronym for Texas Amateur Athletic Federation.

Brownsville is the second city to be chosen for the state-wide event. The other is the Bryan-College State area.

Ramirez and Villarreal made a call for anybody interested in helping out as a volunteer during the Games of Texas to contact them.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the Games of Texas-Brownsville go to: www.gamesoftexas.com, or to VolunteerGOP@brownsvilletx.gov or call 956 446-0466 or 466-0979.

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