March Madness continues on Thursday, March 27, with 16 teams still standing. Four cities are set to host a new wave of fans. Each city will host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds from March 27–30.
For local businesses, it’s a boost to the economy. For residents, it’s a time to be on the national stage and showcase what makes their city host-worthy.
The host cities are in four regions, each with its unique character and cost of living.
“Hosting March Madness could bring extra attention to these cities, especially the smaller, lesser-known areas,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®. “The influx of visitors can give a much appreciated boost to the local economy as game-goers book hotel rooms, eat out at restaurants, and enjoy the local flavor.”
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight host cities (March 27–30)Atlanta, GA
Atlanta knows all about big sporting events. This will be the sixth time the city has hosted an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament round, but its first since 2018. Most recently, the city hosted the college football national championship at State Farm Arena in January. Residents and businesses are ready to show visitors some Southern hospitality.
Median home list price: $368,000
Median household income: $82,300
Indianapolis, INIndianapolis will host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament.Getty Images
Indianapolis is no stranger to hosting big events, and Hoosiers love their basketball. Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts, will be transformed into a basketball arena. This won’t be an unusual task—it knows how to morph into what’s needed. After all, it hosted the 2024 Olympic swimming trials—the first time ever in an NFL stadium.
Median home list price: $254,000
Median household income: $64,200
Newark, NJ
Centrally located to the airport and trains, Newark is a prime spot to host a big event. The downside traffic around the Prudential Center will mean fans need to leave extra time. The city itself has gone through its ups and downs when it comes to the housing market—which was heavily studied by researchers. From homelessness to housing projects to a revitalization over the course of the past 15 years, the city is easily accessible to New York City, making it a popular spot for sporting events and concerts.
Median home list price: $447,000
Median household income: $48,274
San Francisco, CAThe tech sector in San Francisco, CA, has driven up home prices.somchaij/iStock
The Chase Center in San Francisco is where the action will be, right in the heart of downtown, accessible to public transportation and walkable from various hotels. However, living in the Bay Area is a different story. With median home prices above $1 million, Realtor.com found homes are selling more slowly in February than at the same time last year. It’s the tech sector that has driven up home prices in desirable neighborhoods.
Median home list price: $1.16 million
Median household income: $141,400
First- and second-round host cities (March 20–23)Cleveland, OH
Located along Lake Erie, Cleveland is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Not only is the city hosting basketball, but Fan Expo is going on simultaneously. It’s where sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, and comics fans will celebrate pop culture characters.
Median home list price: $130,000
2024 median household income: $39,187
Lexington, KY
In the Bluegrass State, Lexington touts itself as a “front porch kind of city.” It’s also known as the horse capital of the world because of its hundreds of thoroughbred farms, but if that’s not enough, it’s also famous for its bourbon distilleries.
Median home list price: $382,318
2024 median household income: $67,631
Milwaukee, WI
Motorcycle enthusiasts and those curious to see a Harley up close have that opportunity in Milwaukee, where the Harley-Davidson museum is located. The city also has its share of professional sports teams from baseball to basketball.
Median home list price: $199,900
2024 median household income: $51,888
Wichita, KS
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas, with a population of about 395,699. It didn’t earn its nickname “cowtown” because it’s in the middle of the U.S., but rather because it was a destination for cattle drives from Texas in the 1800s.
Median home list price: $264,995
2024 median household income: $63,072
Denver, CO
Another region hosting a couple of rounds of games is Denver. Known as the Mile High City, it gets its nickname from the 13th step on the west side of the Colorado State Capitol Building, which is exactly 5,280 feet—or 1 mile—above sea level. Plus, there’s no shortage of professional sports teams for every kind of fan—from basketball to football to hockey and more.
Median home list price: $560,000
2024 median household income: $91,681
Seattle, WA
Located in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is known for its precipitation—getting about 37 inches of rain over 165 days. (For perspective, it’s not the most. The Weather Channel says Hilo, HI, averages the most, at 126.69 inches each year.) Visitors to this Pacific Northwest city can enjoy the Space Needle and Puget Sound, among the area’s many highlights. It’s also the headquarters of Microsoft and Amazon.
Median home list price: $774,500
2024 median household income: $121,984
Providence, RI
This New England city touts itself as a small town with a big-city culture. Providence is a college town with eight universities and a rich history since it was established in 1636. The coastal capital is about three hours from New York City.
Median home list price: $398,000
2024 median household income: $66,772
Raleigh, NC
Another city known for its universities is Raleigh. It’s also in a big basketball state with four teams in the Big Dance: High Point University, UNC Wilmington, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill. However, it’s only Duke that will have “home state” advantage—playing in Raleigh on Friday.
Median home list price: $475,000
2024 median household income: $82,424
The NCAA tournament doesn’t come together overnight. Cities bid for a chance to be a host city years in advance. The NCAA has specific requirements in order to be selected. The size of the arena, hotel room offerings, and access/transportation to the hotels all play a role in winning the bid. The spotlight on showcasing the community is priceless.
“Hosting an event such as March Madness also offers a city the opportunity to leave a good, lasting impression on visitors,” says Jones. “A positive impression could result in housing demand, especially in the more affordable areas, if visitors are impressed by the quality of life offered—especially if it comes at an affordable price.”