JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the Jacksonville Jaguars get ready for a Monday night showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, the city is soaking up more than just game-day hype — it’s seizing the national spotlight.
And for local business owners like Stephanie Acevedo, it’s an opportunity to turn pride into prosperity.
“Food and sports are a match,” said Acevedo, owner of Flavorikan, a Puerto Rican restaurant just blocks from EverBank Stadium.
That’s exactly what she’s serving up — with empanadas, roasted pork sandwiches, and a side of Jacksonville pride.
A game bigger than football
City leaders say Monday night is about more than what happens on the field. It’s a chance to reshape how the rest of the country sees Jacksonville — and highlight the growth already happening here.
“Anytime we can be in the national spotlight, it’s a great thing,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “People see a city on the rise, a city on the move — and they see all of our natural, beautiful amenities.”
That visibility is especially meaningful to Acevedo, who moved to Jacksonville from Puerto Rico 12 years ago chasing a dream. Now, she owns a thriving restaurant steps from the stadium — and nights like this are her moment to shine.
“It’s exciting because it’s something new for me,” Acevedo said. “To see people so happy, so loud, so different. We don’t have football in Puerto Rico, but I like it.”
Visit Jax estimates 6,300 hotel rooms will be filled by out-of-town fans, driving about $10.1 million in total economic impact and about $6.2 million in direct impact.
More than what they say
Jaguars President Mark Lamping says the narrative that Jacksonville lacks support for its NFL team is outdated and unfair — and Monday night is a chance to flip the script.
“People don’t talk about the fastest-growing city in Florida,” Lamping said. “They don’t talk about job growth, affordability, or desirability when it comes to small businesses. But nights like this? They show the truth.”
And while the team looks ahead to a proposed “Stadium of the Future” — expected to create 18,000 jobs and generate $2.4 billion in long-term economic impact — Lamping says the game itself already delivers value for the city.
Businesses are ready
Across downtown and neighborhoods like San Marco, business owners spent the week prepping for what some called their busiest night of the year.
At Flavorikan, it’s been nonstop.
“Everything we make is homemade,” Acevedo said as she layered smoked ham, pastrami, and slow-roasted pork onto a sandwich. “We cook with love — and we want people to feel that when they walk through the door.”
She added — in Spanish — that she’s grateful for every person who visits and hopes they leave full and happy.
A call for a new look
Mayor Deegan is also calling on national networks to update their visuals of Jacksonville — especially the riverfront.
Many online have pointed out that the outdated footage still shows the old Landing, which was demolished in 2019.