Women's NCAA Final Four tournament a 'slam dunk for Tampa's economy
Share and Follow


TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Even though the women’s championship is over, Tampa businesses are calling this weekend a “slam dunk.” This is the fourth time the city has hosted the NCAA women’s basketball Final Four, and it’s not just basketball fans who are winning.

From bars to hotel lobbies, Tampa’s been packed with fans, and business owners are feeling the impact of the NCAA Final Four’s boost.

“It’s been awesome to have everybody down here, people from all over really coming, enjoying it. We’ve seen a boost in the business surpassing the days that was a concert in Curtis Hixon Park. We had a lot of people come from that afterward, Friday after the game, and even during the game we saw a lot of traffic in here and expect even more after the Sunday night game,” said Michael Przybycin, at Gen X Tavern.

Downtown restaurants, like Gen X Tavern, said they’ve seen big crowds before but nothing quite like this.

“Any time any of the conventions or big sporting events come to town and everybody comes together to bring these huge events to Tampa, all of us, big and small businesses, all benefit from that. It’s been awesome,” Przybycin said.

Hotels near Amalie Arena, where the games took place, are also booked to capacity. At the Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, rooms were spoken for even before fans knew who would be playing.

“Coming from across the country. A lot of people are here just to experience the game itself. They were booked way before the teams were even announced, so just really excited to have some friendly competition,” Frank said.

The city last hosted the women’s Final Four in 2019, and in 2018, the tournament generated $19 million in economic impact.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Tragic Loss for Biker Community: 21-Year-Old’s Fatal Rockledge Crash Sparks Mourning

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – Heartbreak has struck the community as they mourn the…

Trump’s Political Influence Tested as He Enters House Races with Game-Changing Endorsements

President Trump is gearing up to demonstrate the power of his endorsements…

Japan’s Historic Defense Budget Boost: A Strategic Move to Counter China’s Influence

TOKYO – In a move to bolster its military capabilities amidst regional…

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Successfully Undergoes Double Hernia Surgery: Latest Health Update

SAO PAULO – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is scheduled to undergo…

Three Palestinians Detained for Alleged Arson of Christmas Tree at West Bank Catholic Church

Authorities in the West Bank city of Jenin have detained three individuals…

Revitalize Your Holiday Season: How Active Rest Can Transform Your Downtime

The holiday season is often depicted as a serene escape, filled with…

Survey Reveals Growing Economic Pessimism Among Adults Amid Uncertain Financial Outlook

According to a recent poll, economic confidence has taken a hit, reaching…

Asian Stock Market Update: Mixed Reactions Following US Record Highs

BANGKOK – On Thursday, Asian markets presented a mixed performance amidst low…