By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – St. Louis sports officials say the city will be ready to host the NCAAP Final Four in April.
They say the event is expected to generate 50 to 60-million dollars for the region. Tickets for the semifinals on April 2nd and the actual championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4th are already sold out.
St. Louis Sports Commission president Frank Viverito says the event will let the city showcase its downtown renaissance effort.
"St. Louis always rallies for the big events and there's absolutely no question," Viverito said. I mean, you walk down Washington Avenue, it looks great; there's a lot of work that's actually taken place to get ready for the Final Four, and so it's just a great chance for St. Louis to shine."
St. Louis last hosted the Men's Final Four in 1978.