National basketball tournaments expected to bring $38.5M to Louisville area

More than 1,200 teams to compete

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 27, 2017) — Two national girls basketball tournaments—Run for the Roses and Battle in the Boro—are expected to draw more than 1,200 teams to the Kentucky Exposition Center this year and bring an estimated $38.5 million in economic impact to the region over the next five years.

The tournaments are expected to draw 17,000 attendees and participants and more than 1,000 college recruiters and 100 national media outlets. Tournament divisions span grades 8 to 11 and include players from across the country and Canada.

Previously held in Lexington and Nashville, the tournaments relocated to Louisville because of the Kentucky Exposition Center’s expansive court space. Other deciding factors included amenities such as the proximity of Kentucky Kingdom and affordable hotel rooms. The tournaments’ five-year contracts with the Kentucky Exposition Center extend through 2021, and are estimated to bring $38.5 million in economic impact to the region.

Run for the Roses is from July 5-8 and Battle in the Boro from July 10-13.