PHOENIX—The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament (aka March Madness) culminated at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Monday night. ICYMI: The UConn Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 in the championship game.
In the lead-up to the final matchup, the Greater Phoenix area hosted a range of events, parties, and festivities, similar to the first time the city played host.
In 2017, Phoenix was home to the Final Four, which brought nearly 60,000 out-of-state visitors to the destination, generating an estimated economic impact of $324.5 million for the state, said Ron Price, president and CEO of Visit Phoenix. (This year’s numbers are still being tabulated.)
“Hosting a major event such as the NCAA Men’s Final Four gives our destination the opportunity to put the Greater Phoenix area and the state on the world stage, which helps grow our awareness to new travelers," he said. "It also provides us the opportunity to host CEOs and decision-makers in the destination during a prime season. ... One of our core pillars to success when hosting a major event is driving economic impact, and we know that bringing businesses to Arizona is the best way to accomplish that.”
Part of that plan involves the 2024 Men’s Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One, which took place April 5-8 at the Phoenix Convention Center. This sports wonderland was filled with interactive games, celebrity and athlete appearances, autograph signings, and brand activations from big-name companies like Coke, AT&T, and The Home Depot.
Keep scrolling to see more from inside the 2024 Men’s Final Four Fan Fest presented by Capital One...