The city of DeKalb is preparing itself for a different kind of game day.

DeKalb will host the IHSA Illinois State Championship football games Nov. 29 and 30 at Huskie Stadium. Sixteen high schools in eight divisions will play in eight games over two days.

This is the first time DeKalb has hosted an IHSA championship tournament. The University of Illinois has been the host of the tournament for 15 years.

Debbie Armstrong, DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, estimates more than 30,000 people will visit DeKalb during those two days. Her estimate is based on ticket sales figures released by the IHSA which placed the attendance of the 2012 tournament at 28,000.

“Because of the high number of teams still in the playoffs that are located in the region [north of I-80], we expect more people because of the shorter trip to DeKalb than normally [there] would [be] for Champaign,” Armstrong said. “More people who will be competing and watching the games live closer to DeKalb.”

The economic impact of the IHSA tournament is expected to be substantial.

“Based on a host of figures from the Champaign-Urbana region during last year’s tournament, we anticipate a million dollar economic impact for the weekend,” Armstrong said.

Revenues from hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and other businesses have been calculated for these figures.

Mayor John Rey is excited for the tournament beyond the economic impact.

“[The tournament] is giving DeKalb statewide attention and spotlights the county as a major tournament and event destination,” Rey said.

Tom Matya, IHSA Destination DeKalb host committee chairman, said NIU will host the tournament on odd-numbered years from 2013 through 2021. NIU’s 24,000-seat Huskie Stadium and Chessick Practice Center played a significant role in securing the hosting rights.

“The cost of hosting the tournament will be around $225,000, which we hope to minimize with the help of volunteers,” Matya said. “Our goal is to have at least 200 volunteers.”

Volunteers are needed for event duties as ticket-takers, parking attendants and ushers. Training will be conducted by working one of the NIU football games. The last opportunity to train at an NIU game will be on Tuesday vs. Western Michigan.

More information on attending the events and volunteering opportunities is available at IHSAdestinationdekalb.com.