New Orleans - College basketball fans are flocking to the New Orleans from across the country to see their teams face off in the first round of the NCAA Men's basketball championship tournament this weekend. Games kickoff in the New Orleans Arena Thursday morning.
Tourism officials see this year's March Madness as a yet another event that's keeping the city in the national spotlight. Fans say the tournament is one of the most exciting events in all of sports.
The opening rounds of March Madness combine the excitement of college basketball, along with an economic boost comparable to a Super Bowl.
"And this place is going to be rocking... it's gonna be a lot of fun. These fans are really excited," said New Orleans Arena Spokesperson Bill Curl.
"Just having New Orleans in the mix of sporting events in the country. It's good for the city all around," said Mary Beth Romig from the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The city's tourism leaders see this weekend's games as the perfect tune up for hosting the big NCAA games for the next three years.
"More exposure for New Orleans on national television, yet again, another reason for people to come in to the city for a weekend," said Romig.
With the men's and women's Final Fours following the next two years, New Orleans will be the first city to host four straight NCAA divisional championships.
"We will have four years of March Madness back to back to back to back. No city has ever done that before," said Curl.
Along with basketball, the city has already won bids for the 2013 Super Bowl, in addition to the return of the BCS Championship game in 2012.
Tulane along with the New Orleans sports foundation was selected as one of 12 schools to host the this weekends NCAA championship.
"Again, another great weekend in New Orleans, it's been fantastic since the Saints are in the playoffs. Every weekend is just busy in New Orleans," said Romig
All part of an effort to make New Orleans, the sports capital of America.
The first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament will be played throughout the day on Thursday and Saturday.
