CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A state basketball tournament is back in Champaign for the next few days. 

The IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament kicked off on Thursday. 16 of the best high school teams from across the state are battling it out for the championship title. They’re facing off in the home of the Fighting Illini.

“As fans are walking in [the State Farm Center], they’re just really excited about the energy here,” said Mark Brown, Experience CU event services and film director.

Beyond what’s going on at the State Farm Center, millions of dollars are expected to pour into the county. Experience CU said about 36,000 fans are flocking to Champaign for the event.

“That presents itself in an economic impact for our cities in our county of between $4-5 million,” Brown said. “Aside from experiencing State Farm Center, we do want people to get outside of State Farm Center onto the campus and also throughout the community.”

Brown said the tournament will stay in Champaign at least until 2029 because of a contract signed with IHSA. That’s good news for hotels and restaurants.

“Local businesses really thrive on events like this because we’ve got so many people from out of town,” Brown said. “They’re obviously not cooking at home, they’re going to restaurants sometimes in really large groups.”

There are even more games going down outside of the State Farm Center. IHSA Wheelchair Basketball and Unified Special Olympics Basketball are starting Friday.

“You’re going to see that same energizing atmosphere that we have here,” Brown said. 

The IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament goes on until the championships on Saturday.