TAMPA, Fla. — This year started off with a lot of energy for football fans at Raymond James Stadium.
LSU and Wisconsin faced off in the ReliaQuest Bowl Tampa Bay. LSU took home the winning title as fans cheered throughout the stadium. It's a game that brings people back year after year.
"This is my 18th year doing the annual tickets," football fan TJ Mcelaney said.
Some fans traveled from Louisiana to attend the game. LSU fans explained they make a vacation out of it.
"I think having bowl games here and drawing people from different areas of the country is a great idea to bring that money in," one LSU fan said.
ReliaQuest hosts the bowl game every year. While it's fun for competition, it also benefits the local Tampa Bay economy.
This year, the bowl fame brought in more than $1 billion.
ReliaQuest explained since 2016, the company has donated $3.5 million to charities. They vow to give another $1 million to charities over the next two years.
ReliaQuest also gives money to universities. So far, they've given $170 million and plan to give $20 million more to universities over the next three years. Fans said they are happy to hear about the money ReliaQuest gives back to the community.
"It makes me feel better about spending that much money," football fan Zachary VanDeman said.