PHOENIX 3TV/CBS 5 – Big youth sports tournaments are coming back to Phoenix. On Wednesday, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved allowing out-of-town sports teams to play at city-owned facilities. Last year, they were banned because of Covid-19.

“I was ecstatic as soon as it was approved,” said Ron Lindbland, General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North. 

DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North is right across the street from the city-owned Rose Moffrod Sports Complex. It makes the hotel a prime sport for teams to stay. 

“For us alone, I know we had cancelations between July of this year to January because these parks were closed. $420,000 dollars worth in confirmed bookings,” said Lindbland. 

A City spokesperson said the change went into effect immediately. Lindbland said he is already seeing an impact and teams are signing contracts with the hotel again. He believes it will bring a boost in business to the local Phoenix economy. 

“A lot of the small businesses, the restaurants and everything, missed out on all these teams and revenue,” said Lindbland. 

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