March Madness brings economic boost to Seattle businesses

Seattle will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, featuring eight teams including Oregon and Arizona. The games will take place at Climate Pledge Arena on March 17 and 19. Local businesses expect a significant economic boost from the influx of fans. Hotels like the MarQueen are already seeing increased bookings, with many rooms filling quickly after the tournament selections were announced. Previous tournaments have generated up to $6 million in spending from traveling fans. Local establishments, such as Atlas Sports Bar, are preparing for the excitement and increased customer traffic during the event.