Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read March 2023 — Orlando is looking forward to a busy weekend as March Madness kicks off with games on Thursday and Saturday.
As brackets are made and battle-lines are drawn over the course of the next month, Orlando is making its own preparations as it prepares to host both first- and second-round games as part of the 2023 NCAA tournament at the Amway Center in Orlando. As part of the East Regional on Thursday, No. 5 seed Duke University’s Blue Devils (26-8) will face off against No. 12 seed Oral Roberts University (30-4), with the winner taking on whichever team emerges as the victor from the No.4 Tennessee (23-10) versus Louisiana (26-7) bout. Meanwhile, the South Regional will see No. 5 San Diego State (27-6) against No. 12 College of Charleston (31-3), while Saturday will see No.4 Virginia (25-7) against No. 13 Furman University (27-7).
“This is fantastic,” Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer said at a downtown watch party hosted by the City of Orlando, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and UCF at The Abbey. “To bring the NCAA tournament to the world’s best tourist destination and have high-profile teams like Duke, Virginia and the high crowd of Tennessee — I like the draw we got.”
Restaurants, bars and venues across the city have already begun putting up decorations and making preparations for crowds and what is looking to be a busy weekend. City officials are looking forward to the economic windfall Orlando can expect as both teams and their fans make their way to the city for the games.
Mayor Dyer added, “I’d rather have first and second rounds than the sweet 16 because you get eight teams here,” he said. The last time the city was a host for March Madness was six years ago and provided a huge windfall for the city. The mayor said, “So when they were here in 2017 it was 14,000 hotel rooms and over $14 million in economic impact, so I anticipate even more so this time around.”
The Amway Center will be one of eight host sites for the games, with matches held in 2017 and going as far back as 1993, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2014.
The city will aim to make the most of the festivities, and plans to host a block party of its own. “We’re looking forward to welcoming and most importantly, making sure they have a tremendous experience when they come to Orlando,” said Jason Siegel, president and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.
Whoever wins on Saturday will advance to the Sweet 16, held between March 23-24. The Elite Eight is scheduled immediately after between the 25 and 26, and the Final Four will take place in Houston at the NRG Stadium April 1. The national championship game is scheduled for April 3.
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