Even though Cleveland State didn’t make the big dance, the city will still be buzzing over college basketball this month. No matter the outcome of the games, it is a multi-million dollar score for Cleveland, bringing in thousands of visiting fans and boosting the local economy.

All eyes on March Madness will shift to Cleveland, set to host the Mid-American Conference tournament this week, and first and second rounds games of the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship next week.  

The 2025 MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament gets underway at Rocket Arena today with the first game featuring Miami of Ohio vs the No. 4 seed, Kent State, tipping off at 11 a.m. 

Kent State students Mitchell Porter, center, and Lauren Vaughn, right, cheer on the Kent State Golden Flashes during the Wagon Wheel game against Akron at Rhodes Arena on Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Credit: Matthew Brown / for Signal Cleveland

Mark your calendars

The men’s tournament starts Thursday, March 13 with the first game featuring Bowling Green vs. the No. 1 seed, the University of Akron. The Akron Zips won the Mid-American Conference men’s basketball regular season title in February, beating Kent State, 77-72. Landing the No. 3 seed in the MAC tournament, Kent State plays Western Michigan Thursday night. 

The University of Akron student section get loud before the start of the Wagon Wheel game against Kent State at Rhodes Arena on Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Credit: Mattew Brown / for Signal Cleveland

The Mid-American Conference, headquartered in Cleveland, is hosting six NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament games the following week. We’ll learn which college teams will play the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday, March 16. Tickets are on sale now.  

The financial windfall of March Madness

In 2020, the NCAA selected Cleveland to host eight different national collegiate tournament events between 2022 and 2026, expected to bring in around $27 million total in economic activity to the area. 

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission recently announced it has generated over $1 billion in economic impact over the past 25 years bringing sporting events to Northeast Ohio. 

Chris Lewis, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, said this year’s March Madness tournament alone is expected to generate nearly $8 million.  

Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson, 34, attempts a fade-away shot over Kent State Golden Flashes center Cli'ron Hornbeak, 42, during the Wagon Wheel game at Rhodes Arena on Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson, 34, attempts a fade-away shot over Kent State Golden Flashes center Cli’ron Hornbeak, 42, during the Wagon Wheel game at Rhodes Arena on Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Both teams will play in the MAC Tournament. Credit: Mattew Brown / for Signal Cleveland

“We are hosting six games in just two days and expect sellout crowds for each game,” he said. “Thousands of visitors will be in downtown Cleveland to stay in hotels, going to restaurants, finding places to watch March Madness games throughout the weekend, and visiting local businesses.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase Cleveland to a national audience and look forward to welcoming fans from across the country to Rocket Arena,” he added. “Cleveland’s location is a regional draw as our location is accessible to fans from surrounding states, increasing potential for out-of-town visitors.”

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