The Nashville Kats’ playoff game at F&M Bank Arena on June 22 was quite the event – packed house, great energy and a win for local entertainment. But here’s something you might not have considered: It was also a pretty significant win for Clarksville and Montgomery County. The data tells an interesting story about what happens when our city hosts a major entertainment event.

The insights in this article come from Placer.ai, a location intelligence data platform. This technology allows us to see where visitors came from, how long they stayed, giving us a detailed picture of economic activity.

Drawing crowd from near and far

More than 4,100 people attended the arena football playoff game, and they stayed for an average of over three hours. That’s more than just game time, it’s pre-game meals, post-game drinks, and all the little purchases that add up when you’re out for the evening.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the draw beyond our immediate community. While 60% of attendees were from the greater Clarksville-Montgomery County area, that means 40% or nearly 1,800 people traveled from outside our region and neighboring states, bringing their spending power with them.

When someone drives in from Nashville or beyond, they’re not just buying a ticket; they’re filling up gas tanks, grabbing dinner, and sometimes staying overnight. That’s new money that wouldn’t otherwise flow into our local economy.

Following entertainment trail

Thanks to data, we can track where visitors went before and after the game – and it paints a clear picture of economic impact across the city.

Pre-game stops included:

  • Downtown Commons (13.5% of attendees)
  • Shelby’s Trio (12.6%)
  • Strawberry Alley Ale Works (3.4%)
  • Blackhorse Pub & Brewery (3.1%)
  • DoubleTree by Hilton (2.9%)

Examples of post-game destinations:

  • Various local restaurants and bars
  • Gas stations for the drive home
  • Downtown restaurants saw game-day traffic

This visitor flow shows the classic ripple effect.

Why this matters to you

2.5% of the 9.5% sales tax is kept locally and helps our schools and Clarksville’s tax revenue. Economic impact might sound abstract, but it touches everyone in the community by lowering the amount of the local property tax.

  • For workers in hospitality and retail: More visitors means more jobs – whether that’s additional hours, better tips, or new job openings.
  • For business owners: Increased foot traffic and potential new customers discovering what you offer.
  • For taxpayers: More economic activity generates tax revenue that supports services and infrastructure.
  • For residents: A thriving local economy means a more vibrant community.

Long-term value

The Nashville Kats’ playoff game was solid entertainment, but it was also an economic impact case study. It showed that when we host major events, the benefits extend well beyond the venue. Visitors discover local businesses they might return to, the community gains exposure as a destination, and the local economy gets a measurable boost.