March Madness will return to the BMO Harris Bradley Center in 2017!

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Marquette University and the BMO Harris Bradley Center will once again serve as hosts of March Madness in 2017, when the city welcomes eight of the 64 teams in the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

“There are few, if any, sporting events as magical as March Madness. As a community and an institution, we should all take great pride in being selected to host a portion of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament in 2017," Marquette University Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Scholl said.

Fans from all over the country will head to Milwaukee March 16th & 18th to support their teams as they look to advance to the Sweet 16. Visitors, as well as local and regional NCAA fans attending the games, will find the city offers plenty of off-court action during tournament time as well, resulting in impressive economic impact for the Greater Milwaukee area.

Referring to this year’s NCAA rounds in Milwaukee, Steve Costello, president & CEO of the BMO Harris Bradley Center, commented, "We were pleased to partner with Marquette University and VISIT Milwaukee on this successful effort in 2014, and we look forward to working with them and the NCAA to bring the excitement and significant economic impact back to Downtown Milwaukee.”

With over 18,000 attendees expected daily, economic impact in the city in the areas of lodging, transportation, food and beverage, retail and recreation is estimated at $6.6 million.

“The NCAA Tournament is a great way to showcase Milwaukee to the thousands of basketball fans who will return to our city in 2017. The fact that our city was selected again is a true testament to the phenomenal fan experience in Milwaukee," Paul Upchurch, president & CEO of VISIT Milwaukee said.

CLICK HERE for more on this story via the Milwaukee Business Journal.