NCAA hockey regional tournament boosts western Mass. economy by $1.2M

Photo courtesy of Lucas Armstrong 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The inaugural NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey regional tournament at the MassMutual Center proved to be a game-changer for western Massachusetts, generating a remarkable economic impact of $1.2 million.

Featuring prominent teams like the University of Denver, University of Massachusetts, Cornell, and the University of Maine, the tournament drew capacity crowds, showcasing the region’s passion for hockey. Over 11,000 paid tickets were sold.

The tournament not only captivated hockey fans but also provided a significant boost to the local economy. More than 500 hotel rooms were booked in Springfield during the event, highlighting the city’s hospitality infrastructure.

Collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including the MassMutual Center, American International College (AIC), and the University of Massachusetts, played a pivotal role in ensuring the tournament’s success. Support from organizations like the Business Improvement District (BID) and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB), along with local eateries and breweries, further bolstered the event’s impact.

The tournament also fostered community engagement through the Fanfest, featuring interactive experiences with the Forest Park Zoo and Basketball Hall of Fame. Attendees enjoyed various activities, including life-size masks and slapshot inflatables, in partnership with the Thunderbirds.

Sean Dolan, General Manager of MassMutual Center, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts leading up to the event. “It was truly thrilling for the MassMutual Center to host our first-ever NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey regional tournament,” said Dolan. “We are grateful for the support from so many of our community partners and we are looking forward to hosting similar events in the future.”

AIC’s Associate Athletic Director, Michael Lavato, echoed similar sentiments, “It was a truly great experience for the city of Springfield to host an event like this, we are very proud that AIC is a member of the Springfield Community, to help bring this type of event and economic impact to the area is amazing and we hope to do this again in the near future.”

“It was a great experience to collaborate with the MassMutual Center and American International College to play host to the NCAA Regional event in Springfield. Western Massachusetts is full of hockey fans and that was showcased throughout the tournament weekend. We look forward to working together to host similar events in the future,” said Jeff Smith, University of Massachusetts Deputy Athletic Director for External Operations.

Following Denver’s victory in the Springfield regional, they clinched the 2024 Men’s Hockey National Championship by defeating Boston College in the Frozen Four.

Looking ahead, MassMutual Center aims to establish itself as a premier destination for NCAA tournaments, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and the local love for the sport.