Fantasy football is back, and draft weekend is proving to be a boost for local businesses in Bakersfield as friends gather to build teams, talk trash and spend money on food and drinks.

A new survey found nearly one in 10 U.S. adults plan to play fantasy football this season. The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association reports that 84% of fantasy players have a draft party, with a median league party spend of $653.

At Legends Lounge and Events Center in Bakersfield, owner George Masud said the venue is scheduled to host at least a dozen draft parties before the season starts on Wednesday.

“Fantasy is obviously a really big thing,” Masud said. “For us we created some Fantasy football packages where you can have 10- or 12-man drafts; we do food, drinks, and we’ll get you a nice little war room where you can get together and have fun amongst each other privately.”

Masud, who has been playing fantasy football for more than 20 years, has watched it evolve from compiling stats in newspapers to a game where AI can help with roster strategy. Asked what he likes about it, Masud said: “The excitement. Yelling. The ups and downs.”

Masud said he plans to host a fantasy football show at Legends each Sunday morning before the games start for people looking for advice.

Donnie Richesin and his friends held their draft at Legends on Thursday. Richesin, who has also been playing for more than 20 years, said balancing fandom with fantasy can be a challenge.

“I’m a die-hard Niner fan, you know what I mean,” Richesin said. “But when you have a fantasy team, it’s kinda hard for me, especially, to keep my team out of it.”

Richesin selected 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey with the third pick in the first round.

Leopoldo Banuelos, who has been playing fantasy football for three years, said draft day is his favorite part.

“I like the competitiveness, the excitement, how much fun we have,” Banuelos said. “Like when someone picks someone, everybody’s all excited. And when someone goes overboard and reaches, then everybody’s all messing with that person. All fun and games, but it’s just fun to be around the people you love and trust and friends like that.”

Bootleggers, Golden West Casino, and Firehouse are also offering to host fantasy football draft parties with specials.