Thousands are in Eugene this weekend for the USA Track and Field Championships. Local businesses are seeing a surge in demand, and officials say events like these pump millions into the city’s economy
EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene’s identity as “TrackTown USA” is more than just a nickname, it’s an economic engine. And this weekend’s USA Track and Field Championships are putting that engine into overdrive.
As thousands of athletes, fans, and media members flood into Hayward Field, the impact ripples far beyond the University of Oregon campus. From pizza shops to hotels, local businesses across the city are seeing a surge in foot traffic and revenue.
“We’re one of the closest restaurants that is able to feed big groups of people very easily,” said Colby Howard, an employee at TrackTown Pizza, located just a short walk from the stadium. “We have numerous big delivery orders going over to the field, and then all kinds of people coming into TrackTown as well. Keeps us nice and busy for sure.”
Howard says the uptick in customers is something even locals have learned to anticipate.
“I would say more foot traffic, definitely,” he said. “The locals actually know a little bit when events are going on to maybe not order TrackTown as much, because we’ll get longer wait times.”
TrackTown Pizza isn’t the only business benefiting from the busy weekend. Travel Lane County, which works closely with event organizers to coordinate logistics and visitor resources, says the impact of events like this stretches citywide.
“We’re really blessed here to be TrackTown USA and to host such a great lineup of track meets all year long,” said Andy Vobora, Vice President of Stakeholder Relations at Travel Lane County. “The impact on the economy is significant on any of these large events. You’ve got athletes, officials, coaches, staff, and, of course, all the fans and volunteers.”
Vobora estimates that last year’s track season brought in over $50 million in economic impact to the city, a number that continues to grow with every major meet.
“A weekend like this could bring in five, ten, even fifteen million dollars in economic impact,” Vobora said. “That money goes to hotels, restaurants, stores, and then it’s recirculated in the local economy.”
Part of Travel Lane County’s work includes printing and distributing a “Welcome to TrackTown” visitor guide, highlighting local restaurants, shopping areas, hiking trails, and scenic spots for out-of-town guests to enjoy between event sessions.
“We have people coming in all the time saying, ‘Oh, I haven’t been to Eugene in 20 years,’” Howard said. “They remember coming here while they were in college. The city and this place, it just sticks with people.”
And as the crowds continue to pour in for this year’s championship, it’s clear that TrackTown USA is still running strong…in every sense of the word.