ST. LOUIS – Arch Madness, the four-day college basketball tournament, returns to the Enterprise Center in downtown St. Louis, bringing a significant economic impact to the area.
The tournament, which began Thursday night, is expected to generate millions of dollars for the region. St. Louis sports officials highlight the event’s importance, noting its contribution to the local economy over the years.
Thursday’s matchup featured a thrilling finish between the Salukis of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and Indiana State, with SIU securing an 86-85 victory thanks to a last-second basket.
The Salukis will advance to play top-seeded Drake in the first game on Friday at noon. Arch Madness has been a staple in downtown St. Louis for years, drawing thousands of basketball fans to the area. Authorities report that over the years, Arch Madness has generated over $200 million for the St. Louis economy.
The St. Louis Sports Commission anticipates that this is just the beginning of a busy sports tourism season for the area, which is expected to bring in around $40 million in economic impact. Among the upcoming events contributing to this economic boost is the NCAA Frozen Four hockey tournament, which is set to take place in April.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.