18-04-2025
Evansville officials celebrate record-setting March Madness
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – The Evansville Regional Sports Commission has announced the busiest March in its history.
Officials state Evansville hosted 33 collegiate basketball games across four championship tournaments in March at the Ford Center.
A few highlights include:
The Ohio Valley Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships returning to Evansville for its eighth straight year
The Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball tournament was played in Evansville for the first time
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight returned to the Ford Center, broadcasted live on CBS.
Officials say March also marked a first of its kind distinction for the River City: home to both the first and final automatic bids to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
'To be the city that launches and closes the NCAA Women's Tournament ticket punching is something incredibly special,' said Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission. 'It's a testament to the strength of our partnerships, the dedication of our volunteers, and the unwavering commitment of our community. What we achieved this March shows the world what Evansville can do—and we're just getting started.'
Officials estimate the tournaments generated an approximate $1.4 million in economic impact for the region, driving nearly 4,000 nights booked in local hotels and bringing fans, teams and media from across the country into the heart of the city.
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