Games of Texas brings 8,000 athletes, expected $6.5M economic impact to Bryan-College Station

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Games of Texas is underway in Bryan-College Station, drawing 8,000 registered youth and amateur athletes competing across nearly a dozen sports through Sunday, Aug. 2.

Competitions are spread across Bryan-College Station and Texas A&M’s campus. Sports include track and field, swimming, tennis, pickleball, boxing, archery, futsal, ultimate frisbee, horseshoes and golf.

Organizers expect between 25,000 and 30,000 visitors to arrive in the Brazos Valley by the end of the weekend.

Economic impact

Bryan-College Station estimates about $6.5 million in economic impact over the four days of competition, according to Destination Bryan.

Lina Adams, PR and communications coordinator at Destination Bryan, said the spending begins at hotels, gas stations and restaurants and from there, moves through the local economy.

The 2026 Games of Texas will impact traffic in Bryan-College Station.(kbtx)

“What’s really cool about sports tourism is that even if you maybe yourself are not a sports fan, these sports tournaments are working for you,” Adams said. “They’re offsetting taxes that the cities would otherwise have to collect to keep up the same quality of life we’re used to in this community.”

Adams said the economic benefit extends beyond the most visible businesses.

“The restaurants have to pay their waiters and the hotels have to pay their staff,” Adams said. “And so that money gets to trickle through our economy in various ways.”

Adams said Bryan-College Station’s location plays a role in attracting events of this size.

Youth and amateur athletes are competing in the 2026 Games of Texas in Bryan-College Station.(kbtx)

“Bryan-College Station has built itself a reputation for being a great host city for sports tournaments,” Adams said. “We are conveniently located in the center of what we call the Texas Triangle. So the major metros, DFW, Austin, Houston- making it really easy and convenient to get here.”

Adams told KBTX that the event is also well-timed for the local economy. With students out for the summer and football season not yet underway, she said events like the Games of Texas help fill hotel rooms and support businesses that would otherwise see slower traffic.

Road closures and traffic

Campus Drive and Oak Ridge Drive near Merrill Green Stadium are partially closed. Drivers are encouraged to use Briarcrest Drive or Highway 6 as alternate routes. Adams said those roads remain accessible for event parking.

The heaviest congestion is expected near Merrill Green Stadium, where approximately 4,700 track and field athletes are expected to compete over the course of the event, and near the Rec Center Natatorium on Texas A&M’s campus, which will host swimming — the second-largest event of the weekend.

The Briarcrest corridor near Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s is also expected to see heavy traffic throughout the weekend. Adams said residents looking to avoid congestion should consider Midtown and Downtown Bryan as alternatives.

Event schedule and venues

All events are open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online.

Click here for the full schedule, venue details and admission information.

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