CVB: Basketball tournaments to generate $9M in spending

Tens of thousands of people are expected to inject millions into the local economy this month as they attend basketball tournaments in Springfield.

Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau officials estimate $4.4 million in spending from the March 6-16 Missouri State High School Activities Association State Basketball Championships and $4.5 million from the March 9-16 National Christian HomeSchool Basketball Championships, according to an enewsletter sent by the tourism organization.

Combined, that would put spending from the two basketball events at $8.9 million.

The MSHSAA event is expected to draw some 40,000 attendees to JQH Arena and the Hammons Student Center at Missouri State University. CVB officials estimate guests to the city will generate 6,500 room nights at area lodging facilities.

At the NCHC championships, 10,000 attendees and 6,123 room nights are expected, according to the CVB.

The basketball tournaments are part of a group of events slated to bring in over 25,000 room nights through June, the CVB previously estimated.