BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Downtown Bakersfield is expected to see a surge of visitors over the next few days as the CIF high school wrestling championship gets underway at Dignity Health Arena, bringing teams and families from across the state — and a boost for local businesses.
Restaurants downtown are preparing for more customers and what they described as an increase in energy during the tournament.
Shawna Haddad Byers, owner of Two Goats and the Goose, said many of the customers during the championship are coaches and families in town for the event.
Downtown Bakersfield businesses expectan uptick in sales as High School CIF wrestling comes to town.
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“They will go out, and then eat and drink, and partake in downtown,” Haddad Byers said.
Haddad Byers said sales during the tournament can vary depending on how long teams stay in town.
“Your initial bump is at the beginning,” she said. “A lot of times, you have locals that do well, and that will increase, but a lot of times, if the teams that are traveling, if they get eliminated early on, they tend to leave.”
High School CIF kicks off in Downtown Bakersfield.KBAK/KBFX
With the tournament just getting started, Shannon Michelle Sallee, a server at Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks, said she hopes the championship brings “hopefully a bunch of sales.”
To prepare for the expected crowds, some restaurants said they are stocking up on supplies.
“Definitely extra burgers,” Haddad Byers said.
Others said they are making sure staffing is in place to handle the rush.
Vanessa Hurtado said, “We’re definitely expecting a full house.”
Sallee said the tournament has historically brought in families looking for places to eat after matches.
“Downtown Sunset 11-12-25” CREDIT: Ken Harman{ }
“In the past, we have gotten a lot of, um, business through their families, you know, with the kids and everything, for dinner,” she said.
The Lawson family, in town for the tournament, said dining out at local restaurants is part of their yearly tradition.
The CIF high school wrestling championship runs through Friday night, and downtown businesses are expecting an uptick in sales through the end of the tournament.