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Columbia’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is located in the Walton building on Providence (2022 file photo courtesy of the CVB’s Megan McConachie)

Columbia hotel rooms are at a premium this weekend, due to Mizzou’s football game against #1 Georgia, the defending national champions.

The Bulldogs travel as well as any football team in the nation, and Columbia Convention and Visitors bureau spokeswoman Megan McConachie anticipates many thousands of Bulldog fans will be in Columbia for the game starting as early as today (Wednesday). She tells 939 the Eagle that Columbia “is extremely low on hotel rooms for this weekend.” She says while there are still a few rooms available on Friday evening, Saturday is virtually sold-out.

The influx of Georgia fans traveling to Columbia will also impact Columbia-area restaurants and stores, because those fans will be eating and shopping as well.

Some Bulldog fans will be staying at hotels in Jefferson City. Many Jefferson City hotels are already sold-out for Saturday, due to Lincoln’s homecoming and Georgia fans as well.

Saturday night’s game kicks off at 6:30. You can hear the game on Central Bank Tiger Radio Network Zimmer affiliates KCMQ (FM 96.7) and KTGR (FM 100.5). It will also be televised on the SEC Network.

Mizzou fans cheer on the Tigers at Faurot Field in Columbia (file photo courtesy of Mizzou athletics spokesman Ryan Koslen)

Mizzou’s athletic director says football fans wanted another night game this year, adding that the opener against Louisiana Tech gives the school seven home games in 2022.

Athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois tells our Zimmer sister station Clear-99 that opening on a Thursday night is a huge opportunity.

“You know I came from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) before UNLV and Coach (then-coach Frank) Beamer really made his mark on Thursday nights. And I love the opportunity of being early,” Reed-Francois says.

She’s excited abut the Tiger football team opening its season on a Thursday, as opposed to a traditional Labor Day Saturday.

“I’ve heard a lot about people going to the Lake for Labor Day weekend. And I thought we really want to have a great home atmosphere so how can I best help our football program have that great home atmosphere. And so Thursday night, it will be really fun,” Reed-Francois tells Clear-99.

Faurot Field hill tickets are now on sale for Thursday night’s game. Mizzou athletics says Hill tickets are $10 and will also be available for walk-up sales on Thursday.

Traffic is expected to be heavy in Columbia on Thursday afternoon and early evening. Mizzou says there will be limited paid public parking on-campus in Lot R by Truman’s Landing on Thursday, starting at 1 pm. The cost is $35 cash-only. Mizzou football fans are also being encouraged to park in downtown Columbia garages, which will be free on Thursday after 5. You can take a free shuttle to Faurot Field.

Thursday night’s kickoff is set for 7 at Faurot. Mizzou will be opening its 132^nd season of college football. You can hear the game on the Central Bank Tiger Radio Network on Zimmer affiliates KCMQ (FM 96.7) and KTGR (FM 100.5), and it will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

CVB: Columbia hotel rooms are virtually sold-out on Saturday

Mizzou’s athletic director pushed for Thursday night season opener