NCAA Tourney games expected to boost Milw. economy



MILWAUKEE (WITI) – The results of Selection Sunday are in and the teams competing in the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on March 20th and 22nd have been announced -- and having NCAA Tourney games in Milwaukee is expected to bring a big boost to the city's economy.

Playing in Milwaukee on Thursday are:


    Tickets are currently on sale at http://bit.ly/NCAA14MKE_TICKETS.

    Additional tickets released by the teams will be available at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Wednesday after 2:00 p.m.

    Tickets are also available via ticket brokers.

    "We have a lot for the second session. Not so many for the first session that the Badgers are in. The third session -- our inventory is getting low," Ticket King President John Lamarow said.

    Lamarow says a ticket to Thursday's session in which the Badgers play is going for $109. A ticket to Saturday's session -- with the anticipation the Badgers will be in it is going for $174.

    Fans from all over the country will head to Milwaukee to support their teams as they look to advance to the Sweet 16. Visitors, as well as local and regional NCAA fans attending the games, will find the city offers plenty of off-court action during tourney time as well, resulting in impressive economic impact for the greater Milwaukee area.

    With almost 15,000 attendees expected daily, using approximately 6,000 hotel rooms, economic impact in the city in the areas of lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail and recreation is estimated at $4.6 million. The event will generate approximately $325,000 in local tax revenue and support 1,500 jobs.

    "We're just super, super pumped and looking forward to the crowds coming in," Kasey Kultgen, a manager at Bar Louie on Water Street said.

    Kultgen says she knows what to expect when the NCAA Tournament crowd comes to town -- and she says she can't wait!

    "I worked the tournament actually at this location five years ago when they were here, and I mean, you couldn't move in this place. It was so much fun! Just the atmosphere, and everybody just super psyched up about it and so we're very much looking forward to it being in Milwaukee again this year," Kultgen said.

    Although partial to the UW-Madison Badgers, Kultgen says fans of all teams are welcome.

    VISIT Milwaukee President Paul Upchurch says the city is ready.

    "I think one of the great things about Milwaukee is we do these types of events well. You get here -- you can go to the event, your hotel's close by, the restaurants are close by. You can really have fun -- so expect to see just a lot of people on the streets just enjoying themselves," Upchurch said.

    VISIT Milwaukee has been working to make sure visitors know what there is to see and do in the Brew City.

    "We always have people who come visit leave here saying 'I never had any idea this is such a great city. The people are friendly. I had a great time.' We expect the media and the fans to leave with that same impression," Upchurch said.