WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Sporting events spotlight downtown Nashville

Sporting events spotlight downtown Nashville

Tens of thousands of people attended two separate and very different sporting events in downtown Nashville Wednesday night, the U.S. Men's World Cup soccer qualifier at LP Field and UFC Fight Night at the Sommet Center.

Many fans for both events came from out of town, boosting business at downtown bars, restaurants and hotels.

"When the state's feeling the pinch and the city's feeling the pinch on sales tax, the quickest way to prime that pump is with visitor dollars," said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

More than 25,000 soccer fans flooded LP Field to watch Team USA take on Trinidad and Tobago and they weren't disappointed.

The U.S. walked away with a 3-0 win.

Head Coach Bob Bradley told News 2 prior to game the team was excited to return to U.S. soil.

"Especially after being on the road, in a sometimes hostile environment, the team responds and loves to come home to a crowd that's there for us," he said.  "The people here in Nashville I think are going to be here for us and we're excited about it."

Across the river, thousands of ultimate fighting fans packed a nearly sold-out Sommet Center

The popularity of ultimate fighting has exploded in recent years and News 2 Wednesday night found fans from as far away as Washington, DC.

"I flew down here from DC to watch the fight and I'm very impressed on the crowd here... Gotta bring it back... this is great," he said.

Tennessee recently legalized mixed martial arts and despite the tough economy, fans showed their appreciation.
 
"Especially with the economy right now, you have a lot of things people want to see, and if you bring it to them, they're going to come," said another fan.  "The economy in Nashville is getting a huge boost this week."

In addition to buying the tickets, some which cost more than $200, fans stood in line for UFC merchandise.

Furthermore, both events were nationally televised, spotlighting Music City nationwide.