JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – For one week every year, Jackson State University (JSU) welcomes Jackson residents as honorary Tigers.

Thousands of former students, professors and first-time visitors will pack the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday to celebrate JSU’s homecoming. The crowd is expected to bring an economic boost to the capital city.

“T-shirt vendors and different businesses are being impacted by this weekend. People coming in, they’re tailgating. So, they’re going to grocery stores. They’re going to shop for the game, hair salons, barber shops, you know, every facet of of the industry here in the city that makes up economic vitality is being impacted by this game,” said Yolanda Clay-Moore, with Visit Jackson.

The economic impact is estimated to reach above $7 million for the City of Jackson. It’s a weekend that many local businesses, vendors and hotels have been preparing for year-round.

“So, it’s definitely a busy time of the year. It’s something that we look forward to every year. Actually, here at the downtown property actually brings us a lot of revenue, and we are grateful for, and we look forward to it. Actually, it’s a sold-out weekend every year starting Thursday this year. Thursday all the way until Sunday. We’re actually sold out,” said Trenice Jackson, an assistant general manager at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The City of Jackson will continue to cash in on the various events hosted throughout the city, leading to the homecoming game.