In just six weeks the NCAA men’s Final Four returns to New Orleans. The Superdome has hosted six Final Fours, more than any other venue, but this is the first since 2012. Today, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and Governor John Bel Edwards started the unofficial countdown to the championship and touted the impact of the return of one of the nation’s biggest sporting events.
“It’s gonna highlight our ability, continued ability, to host major events, do it successfully, to do it safely, and obviously this is a huge deal for our economy,” said Edwards.”
The timing of the Final Four’s return couldn’t be better for a city and state that rely on tourism. Two years of COVID and severe weather have taken a major bite out of the industry. However, the Final Four is expected to bring more than 75-thousand visitors to The Crescent City, generating an economic impact of $170 million.
“Of the six times,” Edwards said, “I’m just gonna go out on a limb and tell you this is the most important. It’s coming at exactly the right time as we rebound, coming off the storms and out of the pandemic.”
With Mardi Gras already in full swing, and Festival season following right behind, Mayor Cantrell is excited to see the city reopening itself to the world. She said that New Orleans has done its part by reducing COVID rates in the city after 2020 and rallying its civic and business partners.
“There is no stopping us now,” said Mayor Cantrell. “We’re looking forward to not only French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest…all of these things are coming at the right time and it’s because of the spirit of this community.”
The National Semifinals will be held on April 2nd with the Championship game played on Monday, April 4th.
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