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The games brought in $3 million more than expected, and the arena’s reputation for hosting high-profile games points out the powerful impact one asset can have on an entire city’s tourism economy.
Tourism officials in Dayton say the NCAA basketball games played in the city in March pumped nearly $11 million into the local economy.
That’s according to data released Tuesday by the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The University of Dayton Arena was the venue for the First Four playoff, plus the second and third rounds of the tournament this year. The arena has now hosted 101 men’s NCAA Division I tournament games, more than any other venue.
The arena hosted 10 games in a single week, a first for any tournament site.
The $10.85 million generated was about $3 million more than the tourism’s bureau’s estimate before the tournament.
The city and venue got high marks from visiting fans and sportswriters.
Copyright (2013) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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