March Madness Games Returning To Pittsburgh At PPG Paints Arena
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- March Madness is just around the corner and Pittsburgh will be cashing in on some of the action. The NCAA men's basketball tournament is returning to the city for the first time since 2018.
The men's NCAA tournament is expected to bring millions to the local economy. In addition to the men's first and second round games, the Division III women's basketball championship will also be playing in Pittsburgh the same weekend.
March 17-20 will be a basketball frenzy in Pittsburgh. Between PPG Paints Arena and Duquesne University's UPMC Cooper Field House, there will be 12 teams playing nine games in four days.
"They'll be across the street from each other, really building off of each other's excitement. I think it's going to be a really fun week in Pittsburgh," SportsPittsburgh Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins said.
SportsPittsburgh says the last time the men's tournament was here in 2018, it generated nearly $8.5 million.
"The spectators and the fans that are coming in, they are staying throughout our county and probably even across the county line in some of the neighboring jurisdictions," Hawkins said.
"It's awesome. There's like a million people down here it feels like," Souper Bowl owner Carly Moore said.
For businesses still recovering from pandemic shutdowns and restrictions, this is a much-needed shot in the arm.
"We are packed for very early in the morning until very late at night. Those people like to eat and drink. We appreciate it," Moore said.
This is just the start of many college tournaments planned for the coming years. According to SportsPittsburgh, in 2024, the men's first and second round basketball games will return. Then in 2025, the women's Division II basketball championships will be here. In 2026, Pittsburgh will host the Division II men's and women's basketball championships.
"That will be the first time that a city will host those two combined at the basketball festival," Hawkins said over Zoom.
"It's great for us as a business, and it's great for our employees," Moore said. "That's a lot of tips in their pockets. All around, that tournament is huge for us."
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