New Orleans - The New Year holiday and Sugar Bowl generally provide one of the biggest boosts to the New Orleans economy all year.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the game alone generates about $170 million.
But as of now, there are still tickets and rooms available.
“Hopefully by the time we get to the weekend it will be mostly full," says Mary Beth Romig of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The C.V.B. and local businesses are crossing their fingers people will make a last minute decision to make the trip.
The fact New Year's Eve falls on Thursday, the game on Friday - than a weekend - certainly helps.
Local restaurant owner Cindy Brennan is preparing for a full house.
“We're expecting to be busy. A lot of people traveling, a lot of people home for the holidays, eating out, going to the game," says the owner of Mr. B’s in the French Quarter.
The two teams facing off in the game: the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats and the Florida Gators.
Romig expects Cincinnati to travel well:
“People save their money to follow their teams, and being that Cincinnati is in its first BCS bowl game, the interest that they've generated is high,” she says.
Multi - time national champion Florida isn't showing as much interest - at least not yet.
But given this is Tim Tebow's last collegiate game - and other recent developments - Gator fans might change their mind.
The news of Florida coach Urban Meyer's medical problems is driving up media interest. The Sugar Bowl says it has received approximately 40 extra press credential requests since Meyer's announcement. As far as the general public goes, there are still 1000 tickets left.
It's got all the makings of a great story and hopefully it will play out in the end that we'll have a full city," says Romig.
Which would be a great story for New Orleans as well.
