Basketball tournament renewal expected to generate hefty economic impact

The renewal of a national basketball championship event is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars' worth of economic impact for the Springfield community.

Visit Springfield, Missouri and the Springfield Sports Commission announced in a news release this morning that a deal has been reached to keep the Queen City as the home of the National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships through 2030. The parties inked a five-year extension for the event that has taken place in Springfield since 2009.

Officials say the event generates an estimated $6 million in direct economic impact annually and more than 6,000 room nights each year. That would bring the projected economic impact to around $30 million over the course of the five-year extension.

"This event is a cornerstone of our sports calendar and a wonderful reflection of our community’s hospitality and passion for sports," said Lance Kettering, executive director of the Springfield Sports Commission, in the release. "Visit Springfield and the Sports Commission are grateful to the NCHBC for their continued confidence in Springfield and look forward to working together for many years to come."

The event this year drew a record 408 teams, according to the release.