Connecticut’s Capital City welcomes this week’s 2017 Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship. The XL Center, City of Hartford, Hartford Business Improvement District (BID), Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB), Hartford Parking Authority, Capital Region Development Authority, CTTransit, Conn. Department of Transportation, and other organizations are working to make sure that visitors have a terrific experience while in the city.

 

The Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship will take place this Thursday, March 9 through Sunday, March 12, 2017 at the XL Center in Downtown Hartford. All 11 American Athletic Conference teams will compete for the conference title, including the 2014 NCAA champion, the University of Connecticut.

 

Over the four-day basketball competition, Championship organizers expect 50,000 attendees, with a projected economic impact to the Greater Hartford region of approximately $4 million, according to the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau. Approximately 3,000 room nights are expected to be booked in over a half-dozen Greater Hartford hotels by officials, athletes, cheerleaders, bands, alumni groups, and fans. More than 1,000 jobs in the hospitality industry will be supported by this tournament, and over $300,000 in Connecticut Sales Tax generated.

 

Saturday, March 11 will be an especially busy day in Downtown Hartford. Fans attending Saturday’s Semifinals basketball games also can enjoy the 46th Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade which steps off at 11 a.m. on Capitol Avenue near the Connecticut State Capitol Building – the annual parade is expected to draw tens of thousands of people. In addition, the Spirit Festival National Competition will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center on both Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. One of the largest cheer & dance national championships in the Northeast, the two-day event will involve approximately 7,000 athletes, their families, and officials who will utilize 2,400 room nights at close to a dozen area hotels with an economic impact of $3.3 million, according to the Connecticut Convention Center.

 

  • The XL Center Exhibition Hall will host a Fan Fest during tournament hours and the event is open to the public. Activities include basketball contests, food, drink specials, a fan cave, beer garden and much more. For a full list of activities visit www.XLCenter.com/americanhoops

     

  • More than 20 Downtown restaurants will offer a 10 percent discount off food to anyone who presents a ticket stub or official team credential. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit www.XLCenter.com/americanhoops

     

  • Throughout the course of the 4 day Tournament, many Downtown garages and surface lots near the XL Center will offer a Special Event Parking rate of $6. For a full list of parking locations visit www.XLCenter.com/americanhoops

  • dash Shuttle buses will extend hours (operated by CTTransit): on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; on Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight; on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and on Sunday 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Also on Saturday, local and express bus service serving Downtown will be rerouted during parade road closures.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE:

 

          Thursday, March 9- First Round- Session 1:

  • Game 1:  3:30 p.m. - #8 Temple vs. #9 East Carolina (ESPNU)

  • Game 2:  6 p.m. - #7 Tulsa vs. #10 Tulane (ESPNews)

  • Game 3:  8 p.m. - #6 UConn vs. #11 UCF (ESPNews)

     

          Friday, March 10- Quarterfinals - Session 3

  • Game 4:  12 Noon - #1  SMU vs. Winner Game 1 (ESPN2)

  • Game 5:  2 p.m. - #4 UCF vs. #5 Memphis (ESPN2)

  • Game 6:  7 p.m. - #2 Cincinnati vs. Winner of Game 2 (ESPNU)

  • Game 7:  9 p.m. - #3 Houston vs. Winner of Game 3 (ESPNU)

     

    Saturday, March 11- Semifinals

  • Game 10:  3:15 p.m. - Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 9 (ESPN)

     

    TICKETS:  All-session and individual tickets are available now at www.XLCenter.com, by calling 1-877-522-8499, or visiting the Agera Energy Box Office at the XL Center.

    Group sales (10 or more) information and discounts are available by contacting 860-548-2000.

    For general fan information about the Championship, visit www.XLCenter.com/AmericanHoops.