Phoenix is one of the finalists to host the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four games. Site selectors will evaluate the bid Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, Arizona State University, local sports teams, cities and more have all been working together to land the Final Four in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Local hotels have already been booked for a different event in 2018.
Sports and Tourism Authority President Tom Sadler said landing the games would bring in tens of millions of dollars and a huge influx of visitors.
"We have such a high level of hospitality that we provide them, they become return customers. It becomes an economic development tool for us," Sadler said.
NCAA staffers are visiting Tuesday and Wednesday, looking at hotels and event locations including Tempe Beach Park, downtown Phoenix, and University of Phoenix Stadium, where the basketball games would be played.
The NCAA is expected to decide on a site in November.