The Seattle Medium newspaper covers Seattle as the city is gearing up to welcome eight teams, thousands of fans, and a significant economic boost as it hosts the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, popularly known as March Madness. The Climate Pledge Arena will be the battleground for universities including Oregon, Colorado State, Arizona, Grand Canyon, Memphis, Maryland, Liberty, and Akron this Friday and Sunday.
In past tournaments, the Seattle Sports Commission has reported that traveling fans can contribute as much as $6 million to the local economy. Teams like Colorado State, Arizona, Grand Canyon, and notably Oregon, are benefiting from their proximity, making it easier for their supporters to attend.
The tournament kicks off with the First Four games on Tuesday, March 18, in Dayton, Ohio, and culminates with the Final Four on April 5 and 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The venues for the first round (64 teams) and second round (32 teams) include Lexington, Kentucky; Providence, Rhode Island; Seattle; Wichita, Kansas; Cleveland; Denver; Milwaukee; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
The regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight) will be held in Newark, New Jersey (East); Atlanta (South); Indianapolis (Midwest); and San Francisco (West). Detailed dates and venue information for the 2025 Division I men’s NCAA tournament are also available.
While the University of Washington did not qualify for this year’s tournament in their inaugural season in the Big Ten, they will be hosting the eight competing teams as they vie for advancement in the championship. March Madness is officially making its way to Seattle, with the first and second-round games taking place this week, followed by the Sweet 16 starting March 27 and the Elite Eight on March 29-30, leading up to the Final Four on April 5.
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Source: Seattle Medium
