Thousands visit Frisco for NCAA championship game

Thousands of NCCA football fans descended on Toyota Stadium in Frisco Saturday, for the Division 1 championship game.

It’s the rivalry for a much anticipated rematch that fans had been waiting for. The North Dakota State Bison versus returning champs, James Madison Dukes.

Spectators came from across the country. Some flying in, others like Brent Hager drove 17 hours and 1200 miles to cheer on North Dakota.

“They beat us at home last year in the semi-finals, that's taught on us, nobody beats us at our house,” said Hager. “We travel well, this is my 5th out of the last 6 championships, ready to see them win.”

JMU Fan Neil Seagle avoided a winter snow storm that slammed the east coast to come to North Texas.

“It's such a huge rivalry, we thought, we can't miss this. This is like the Steelers and the Patriots, ya know,” he said.

“I may never leave here; this is so much nicer than where it is where we're from!” said JMU fan Connie Wesley.

These thousands of fans also help boost the local economy in Frisco, which has now hosted the even 8 times. City officials say the game was standing-room only, estimating the championship brings around 20,000 people to the area, and generates roughly 7-million dollars in economic impact.

“We hope to have this game indefinitely, so we want to roll out the red carpet for the NCAA and these events, and really that's why we landed the Frisco bowl as well, our experience being able to host big events,” said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney.

Mayor Cheney tells FOX 4 they are courting other big sporting events for their city and hinted they could soon be making a big announcement about another.

North Dakota defeated James Madison, 17-13.