World Series could mean $6.5M to $8.8M for DC

Fans celebrate after the Washington Nationals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4 in Game 4 of the baseball National League Championship Series to sweep, and to advance to the World Series. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

D.C. hotels, bars and restaurants will enjoy an economic boost from Washington’s first World Series in 86 years, but how big a boost will depend on whether visiting fans speak with a twang like Texans or squawk like New Yorkers.

“The city will see $6.5 million in economic impact from the Houston Astros if they are our opponent. And if it’s the New York Yankees, the total would be $8.8 million,” said Robin McClain, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Destination DC, the group that manages conventions and tourism in D.C.

“We are going to be welcoming business that we would not have without the World Series here,” McClain said. “You can really feel the excitement throughout the city, whether you are watching with folks at local restaurants and bars or just walking down the street seeing all the Washington Nationals gear that people are wearing.”

You can do it NATS! from your fans @StPetersOlney! @nbcwashington @WTOP @CBSDC @ABC7News @fox5dc @suepalkafox5dc @Nationals @MayorBowser @HeatherZiMS @treavturner @PatrickCorbin46 @JoeRoss21 @Max_Scherzer @dcsportsbog @ADWCathSchools @ADWSupt pic.twitter.com/9bQ8mBolBI
— Saint Peter's School (@StPetersOlney) October 30, 2019

Teachers show off Natitude — Teachers at Little Hands Preschool in Damascus, Maryland, participate in a Nats-style trunk or treat. (Courtesy Wendy Davis) )

@WTOP @WashPerformArts is bringing all the #natitude #babyshark spirit for game 7 #worldseries #nats #nationals #beethoven250 #baseball #béisbol #Strasmas pic.twitter.com/ZJR7OEwQfE
— Nicholas A. Brown (@frenchhorn88) October 30, 2019

The witches of Bancroft Place NW DC show off their Natitude @WTOP ⁦@Nationals⁩ ⁦@MayorBowser⁩ ⁦@tomsherwood⁩ pic.twitter.com/wcxKQ1nyE8
— Marie Drissel (@AudreyHepburn10) October 30, 2019

I had to add the nod to the Yankees for my cubicle neighbor but my have my tribute wall up @WTOP @Nationals #FINISHTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/xKneioTEpK
— Martha Pogue (@mjcpogue) October 30, 2019

Nationals fans’ World Series hopes are renewed as Washington evens up the series 3-3 during Game 6. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper) (Courtesy Wendy Davis) )

Nats fans going crazy on the last out in game 6 ! @WTOP pic.twitter.com/3DMYgT5Gzv
— Kyle Cooper (@KRCOOPER) October 30, 2019

Here’s some celebrating too. Lots of happiness coming to @WTOP pic.twitter.com/uYLp87oDqr
— John Domen (@JDDsays) October 30, 2019

Here comes game 7. Not a ton of Nats fans here but those who came had a lot to say. Hear about it @WTOP pic.twitter.com/mfQqUTWyTi
— John Domen (@JDDsays) October 30, 2019

https://twitter.com/AudreyBYoung/status/1189514384361570306

nats watch party, game 6 — One of the attractions at the Game 6 World Series watch party at Nationals Park is this horse. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

nats watch party — Fans are hopeful that the Nats will win Game 6 of the World Series and still have a shot at the championship. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

Gates open at Nationals Park in D.C. for a Game 6 World Series watch party. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

nats fans — Nats fans of all types gather at Nationals Park for a watch party for Game 6 of the World Series. (WTOP/Kyle Cooper)

A reader’s dogs decked out in curly Ws. (Courtesy Megan W.)

Sure, why not? (Courtesy Becky Mitchell)

The Boston Market in Riverdale Park is feeling it. (WTOP/Shawn Anderson)

Natitude in Banglasdesh! (Courtesy Paul Hussar)

Natitude in Kuala Lumpur! (Courtesy Steve)

Kora Findler dressed as the World Series championship trophy for Game 4. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)

Newborns at Inova Loudoun Hospital were decked out in Nats gear. (Courtesy Inova Loudoun Hospital)

“Turned my Jersey Boy into a proud Nats Fan!!!” (Courtesy Betsy Simms)

bar, world series — Fans watch Game 3 of the World Series from a bar near Nationals Park. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Yup; it’s a baby shark. On the Outer Banks on Oct. 25. (Courtesy Sherry Calvendra)

Fans wear baby shark balloon hats. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)

D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton watches Game 3 of the World Series at Nationals Park. (WTOP/Matt Mills)

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser watches Game 3 of the World Series at Nationals Park. (WTOP/Matt Mills)

Bill and Patti Hinkle, of Ashburn, Virginia, attend Game 3 of the World Series. (FNN/Tom Temin)

Baseball fans wear birthday hats in honor of Juan Soto, who celebrates his 21st birthday on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)

Bill Nye takes selfies in the dugout during batting practice prior to Game Three of the 2019 World Series against the Houston Astros at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/Will Newton)

Washington Nationals fans enter Nationals Park for Game 3 of the World Series against the Houston Astros October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/Win McNamee)

These fans wish Nats’ Juan Soto a happy birthday. He turns 21 on Friday, Oct. 25, which is also Game 3 of the World Series. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

These fans are tailgating near Nationals Park for Game 3 of the World Series. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Sophia Bay, Andres Otero and dog Liberty, who goes to all “Pups in the Park” games, take in the scene at Nats Park before the start of Game 3 of the World Series. (WTOP/Kristi King)

These baseball fans live across the street from Nationals Park. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Supporting the @Nationals from OKC! 🦈⚾️ #STAYINTHEFIGHT | #RepTheDistrict pic.twitter.com/zM6fbwXyMG
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 25, 2019

These babies at Inova Loudoun Hospital have been fans since they were born. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Patti Hinko writes: “Max is ready for the World Series (and ready to find his forever home). He is hoping his favorite Nat, Max Scherzer, can take home the Curly W! #Natitude” (Courtesy Pattie Hinko)

Abby is showing off her Natitude. (Courtesy Anne Home)

This precious Nats fan is only 8 days old! (Courtesy Josh and Megan Bekkedahl)

Not in the D.C. area, but Minnie Payne, 83, in Ellenwood, Georgia, is proudly showing off her Natitude. (Courtesy Silva Foxx)

Jack is rocking the Natitude. (Courtesy Diann Hohenthaner )

“Just a couple of National fans,” Nancy Berg writes. (Courtesy Nancy Berg)

Today is the day! ⚾️
From our team to the @Nationals, #WINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/ULrlxMxa9t
— National Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 (@CherryBlossFest) October 22, 2019

Cindi Brooks sent a photo of her son, Eric, who is a screenprinter in Boise, Idaho, and came up with his own design for his shirt. (Courtesy Cindi Brooks)

Are you ready, D.C.? Are you geared up? (Courtesy Tiffany Newsome)

These WTOP listeners showed off their Natitude at Nats Park. (Courtesy Vickie Geary Baitinger)

Teddy was ready for Game 1 of the World Series. (Courtesy Susan Colarco)

Here’s a Nats fan in Iceland, sending good luck to the home team. (Courtesy Christine Tsitsiragos )

<p>George Washington’s Mount Vernon is all in on the Nats. And they’re offering a 31% discount (that’s Max Scherzer’s number) to anyone coming in through Oct. 30 sporting Nationals gear. (Courtesy George Washington’s Mount Vernon)</p> — George Washington’s Mount Vernon is all in on the Nats. And they’re offering a 31% discount (that’s Max Scherzer’s number) to anyone coming in through Oct. 30 sporting Nationals gear. (Courtesy George Washington’s Mount Vernon)

“Baby Shark” on the National Cathedral organ? You better believe it. (Courtesy George Washington’s Mount Vernon)

Speaking of Baby Shark… after the series opener, WTOP’s Michelle Basch caught up with @NatsSharkGuy himself. (Courtesy George Washington’s Mount Vernon)

Go #Nats, from the (temporarily and unofficially) rechristened @Nationals Mall! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/QtkwVD0rZP
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) October 22, 2019

Hey @Nationals, from our team to yours, good luck in the #WorldSeries! 👶🏼🦈#STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/h7CEux8zjr
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) October 21, 2019

nationals — A fan carries a broom to symbolize a sweep for the Nationals during Game 3 of the NLCS. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

nationals, washington nationals — Fans stream on on Center Field Gate. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

nlcs — Nats fans from an apartment building near the stadium show their support. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Fireworks light the night sky during Game 3 of the NLCS between the Nats and the Cardinals on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019. (Courtesy Debbie Gramlick)

This is Breeze, and Breeze is here to show the best Natitude. (Courtesy Melissa Puglisi)

nlcs, game 3 — A fan shows off former Nationals player Bryce Harper’s old number during Game 3 of NLCS on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 in D.C. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Go Nats! @WTOP pic.twitter.com/xRl4qR7y9m
— LuckyEwe (@elle_elle_em) October 15, 2019

This pupper is joining the rallying call to #STAYINTHEFIGHT. (Courtesy Carolyn Deck)

One WTOP listener wrote: “Still got on the same gear from yesterday’s win, including red Nikes. Go Nats!!” (Courtesy WTOP listener)

And this WTOP listener writes: “I just KNOW Nats will win tonite !” (sic)

Another WTOP listener is keeping the Nats spirit up while on a ferry heading to Santorini in Greece. (Courtesy WTOP listener Carole)

SHAAAAARK! @WTOP @Nationals pic.twitter.com/M1QT6wBbiY
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) October 15, 2019

D.C. resident Milton White shows off his latest fitted hat from the Nats’ team store. He has one for every year and has come back repeatedly this year to score this one. (WTOP/Kristi King)

nats fans Theresa Cheseldine (left) and daughter Colleen Snook — Theresa Cheseldine and daughter Colleen Snook (left)

Federal News Network anchor Tom Temin with pal Gerald Richman at Game 3 of the NLCS on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. (FNN/Tom Temin)

And here’s Temin again, this time with his daughter, Janice, at Game 5 of the NLDS. (FNN/Tom Temin)

Baby shark!! Fans cheer before Game 3 of the baseball National League Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)

A Washington Nationals fan cheers during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the baseball National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Fans watch play in the second inning in Game Four of the National League Divisional Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Oct. 7, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/Patrick McDermott)

Fans cheer in the second inning in Game Four of the National League Divisional Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Oct. 7, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/Patrick McDermott)

Fans take a photo in the outfield stands at Nationals Park on Oct. 7, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/Patrick McDermott)

A fan enters the stadium prior to the National League Wild Card game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Oct. 1, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/Patrick McDermott)

A Washington Nationals fan poses for a photo prior to the National League Wild Card game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Nationals at Nationals Park on Oct. 1, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/Patrick McDermott)

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There are several factors driving the different economic outcomes of either Houston or New York as a World Series opponent.

“New York is closer, and so people can make that decision to come to D.C. closer to the times of the games. … It’s a drive market, you’re coming down the East Coast corridor, it just makes it easy,” McClain said. “New York is also our top domestic visitor market, and so it just makes sense that we would likely welcome more people from there.”

“If it’s Houston, it’s really just a distance thing, in terms of people having to take flights here, and so that just becomes a little bit more limiting in terms of the visitation estimate,” McClain said.

Besides out-of-towners, locals are expected to help boost business at restaurants and bars during the Fall Classic.

“It’s incredibly exciting right now, and while my restaurants aren’t directly close to the ballpark, I don’t think that’s the biggest indicator,” said Dan Simons, co-owner of Founding Farmers and Farmers Restaurant group.

“Winning and smiling stimulate. Get off the couch, get out of the house, go hang out with people, and that drives people into restaurants,” said Simons, whose group operates six restaurants in D.C., Maryland and Virginia and one in Pennsylvania.

There are also sellers of Nats team merchandise, as well as caterers, souvenir vendors and even bicycle and scooter-share firms that stand to gain from the World Series.

Josh Bear, general manager of D.C.-area Spin e-scooters, said they have about 20 hubs around the area. That includes one near Nats Park, “and we’re working on getting two more up before the World Series.”

During the World Series games that are to be held at Nats Park, Simons expects his restaurants could see a 10% to 15% in sales.

” … The whole city comes alive — bars and restaurants,” said Simons.

“It just puts a smile on people’s faces.”

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