Sold-Out Event Projected to Generate Nearly $25 Million in Economic Impact to the Region

Together with host institution, Boston College, TD Garden is serving as the home of the East Regional of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on March 28 and 30. This event marks the fourth time that TD Garden and BC have hosted the East Regional of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, previously serving as host of the 2009, 2012, and 2018 East Regionals. TD Garden and BC also served as host twice for NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Round games in 1999 and 2003. 

This weekend's NCAA® Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional Championship games at TD Garden will pump about $25 million into the Boston economy, with more than half of that total coming from fans' spending on lodging, dining, entertainment and retail sales, according to MeetBoston, the primary private sector marketing and visitor services organization charged with the development of meetings, conventions and tourism-related business. 

"Hosting the East Regional of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship with our partners at Boston College is a tremendous honor,” said Glen Thornborough, TD Garden President and COO of the Boston Bruins. “It not only showcases the rich tradition of basketball in our city but also highlights TD Garden’s reputation as a premier destination for top-tier sporting events. Since we last hosted it in 2018, the arena has undergone a $100+ million-dollar renovation and is the heart of an all-new entertainment district with the debut of The Hub on Causeway. This tournament underscores our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences both in and outside of the arena.” 

This year's East Regional bracket features No. 1-seed Connecticut vs. No. 5 San Diego State at 7:39 p.m. followed by No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 3 Illinois at 10:09 p.m. The winners the two games play each other Saturday, March 20 at 6:09 p.m. at TD Garden to earn the right to play in the Final Four in Glendale, Arizona starting on Saturday, April 6. 

"Hosting the East Regional of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will be an absolute boom to our visitor economy, injecting nearly $18M in direct spending,” said Martha Sheridan, Meet Boston President & CEO.  “We really hit the jackpot with the teams and fan bases coming to Boston – high seeds from the Midwest, a West Coast team, and of course a regional favorite and top seed in UConn. This combination ensures strong visitor spending starting now through the Easter weekend." 

 The tournament serves as a magnet for visitors from near and far, attracting basketball enthusiasts and tourists eager to experience the excitement of March Madness in this vibrant city. To celebrate new fans coming into the arena, and give them a sense of hometown pride, TD Garden's concessionaire, Delaware North Sportservice, prepared specialty concession items.

• Illinois – Spud City Pierogi (Expansion Spaces – Waffle Garden)
• Iowa State – Saucy Cyclone Hot Dog (Loge 3, Balcony 302 – Hub Hot Dog)
• San Diego State – Aztec Shrimp Tacos (Loge 9 – Boston Common)
• UConn – New England Lobster Bisque (Loge 9 – Boston Common)

Hosting the East Regional of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship also provides extensive media coverage, shining a spotlight on our city and showcasing its unique attractions, amenities, and hospitality to a national audience. The positive exposure generated by this event is expected to yield long-term benefits for tourism for the city and commonwealth, cementing Boston as a true destination.