NASHVILLE,Tenn. – TransPerfectMusic City Bowls officials announced Wednesday that the Bowl had a $32 milliondirect economic impact on Nashville’s economy, a record in the Bowl’s 24-year history.   

TheBowl has now produced $383 million in total direct economic impact for thecity.  

The2021 matchup between Tennessee and Purdue saw record-breaking numbers andacclaim across the board. A crowd of 69,489 fans packed Nissan Stadium, breaking the 2010 record of 69,143 and making it the third-most attended game during Bowl Season only trailing the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl (CFP Playoff).

 The game was the top attended non-NY6 game.  

Viewershipwas also among the best during Bowl Season with the game drawing 5.6 millionviewers on ESPN making it the second-most viewed non-NY6 game. The bowl also surpassed 100 million all-time viewers following this year’s broadcast. The thrilling final 15 minutes drew a staggering 8.9 million viewers, according to ESPN.  

“Aftera difficult year following the 2020 bowl cancellation, we could not have askedfor a better return of our bowl game and first year for our title sponsor TransPerfect,” Scott Ramsey, President & CEO of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, said. “We are proud to continue to generate a positive economic impact for the City of Nashville and our sponsors.”  

Thegame itself saw multiple records broken including total yardage (1,293),combined points (93) team total yards (Tennessee, 666) and first downs (31). Individually, Purdue quarterback Aiden O’Connell broke the record for most passing yards (534) and his receiver, Broc Thompson, broke the record for receiving yards with 217 during his MVP performance. Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks broke the record for most tackles with 20.  

Accordingto Scorecard Survey data, most of the Bowl’s attendees were from out-of-town(69 percent) and occupied 19,640 room nights. Out-of-town attendees spent an average of $377 per day while in-town attendees reported daily spending of $284, both bowl records.  

Since 2001,the Bowl has used the Nashville Sports Council’s nationally recognizedScorecard report to measure the impact and effectiveness of sporting events on the local economy. The Scorecard measures economic impact, media exposure and community involvement based on ratings and surveys from participants, spectators, volunteers and media that attend the event.  

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