COLUMBUS, Ohio — March Madness officially kicked into gear in Columbus on Friday. The NCCA Men's Basketball Tournament has tipped off at Nationwide arena with four games on the schedule. 

What You Need To Know

  • Nationwide Arena in Columbus is hosting 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first and second round games

  • The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is anticipating a $9.4 million economic boost from the tournament for the city of Columbus

  • All the winners from the games will play again on Sunday

It's the first one in Columbus since 2019, and with that comes an economic boom. 

"I want to see a great game,” said Alfie Olson, NCAA tournament attendee. “It's a great March Madness tournament."

One came in from New Zealand to cheer on her son, who’s playing for Marquette 

"This is Ben's first year,” said Sharon Gold, NCAA tournament attendee. “It's a dream come true. Something you always think might be a possibility, but having it as his first year is pretty exciting." 

Gold is one of the several thousand flooding into the stands at Nationwide arena and far from the only ones coming in from out of town. 

But with that, comes a major economic boost.

“Well events like the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, they bring in people from cities and states all across the country,” said Rick Carfagna with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce

But Carfagna said, between the out-of-towners and local fans coming in, the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, which starts Saturday, will bring in $9.4 million.

"It is a big economic shock in the arm,” said Carfagna.

Columbus isn't the only city in Ohio seeing a 'basketball economic boost.' 

'In Dayton, which also hosted some games, they are expected to bring in $5.2 million in economic impact,” said Carfagna. “Up in the city of Cleveland, they host the Mac tournament. They bring in about $6 million hosting that tournament alone. It’s a big economic boom for all three cities.” 

That means more packed bars and restaurants, and, of course, for the fans, it's a good excuse to experience our very own buckeye state. 

“People are coming into town,” said Carfagna, “and of course, you’re spending money on bars and hotels and restaurants and on fuel, but also an opportunity for people to experience local things here. That’s a great chance to show off what we do great here in Ohio.” 

The winners from Friday's games will be back here on Sunday.