In a post-pandemic world, it seems Americans just can’t get enough of concerts, the big screen, pro and college sports, and other forms of entertainment that involve having thousands of people around you. Whether it’s FOMO or a natural backlash to prior lockdowns, it seems bigger is better when it comes to appetite for experiential events. We took a look at some of the nation’s biggest sports and entertainment districts that easily translate to an all-day affair that can include catching a game, shopping, exploring different restaurants, going to a sports bar, and more. Many include hotels for out-of-towners, and if it’s the perfect environment for you, some even have residences onsite.
At Patriot Place, adjacent to Gillette Stadium, major anchors such as Bass Pro Shops and Ulta await shoppers. Meanwhile, newer usages in this mega-arena include a health care center for Sports Performance & Research as well as Mass General for Children - Foxborough. Battery Atlanta, which we wrote about in the Feb 3 issue of the Anchor as having the highest dwell time among lifestyle shopping centers, offers a mix of everyday offerings like CoreCentric Sculpt at Yoga Six, stand-up comedy with Anthony Jeselnik, and a college football viewing party. Of particular interest - and a trend we see with legs - is the fact that both Patriot Place and Battery Atlanta also have hotels and/or residences and essential anchors like grocery or healthcare on site, thus making both of them destinations for special game outings as well as for daily needs. Texas Live! includes celebrity eateries like Guy Fieri’s taco joint and live music Hot Country Nights. Xfinity Live! is a 3-in-1 deal, with 3 stadiums next to each other, along with a bar and casino options.
Compared to last year, the entertainment districts saw healthier year-over-year traffic during the summer. Xfinity Live! In particular has seen some months that really outpaced last year.
When looking at visitors, employees, and residents of Patriot Place, we see that compared to Sep. 1- Aug. 2022, this year has seen an uptick in visits to Gillette Stadium, Trader Joe’s, and Bass Pro shops.
%20(1).svg)
