Worcester has hosted more NCAA Division I men’s hockey regional tournaments than any other city in the country, but city officials say landing additional NCAA events — particularly March Madness basketball games — will require overcoming several logistical challenges, including a limited hotel inventory.
The issue hit the city council agenda this week, with councilors reviewing a report outlining Worcester’s efforts to attract NCAA tournaments and the economic impact those events can have on the city.
According to a communication from Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn, the NCAA Hockey Regionals held at the DCU Center in March generated an estimated $2.5 million in direct and indirect spending and supported more than 400 jobs.
“As previously discussed with city council, the hosting of NCAA tournaments and events can produce a significant, positive economic impact for the community,” City Manager Eric Batista wrote in a memo to councilors.
Worcester has hosted the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Regional 17 times since 1992, more than any other city in the nation, according to the report. Albany, NY, ranks second with 12 appearances, followed by Manchester, NH, with 11 and Providence, RI, with 10.
The city has also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament twice, in 1992 and 2005. Since then, however, Worcester has been unsuccessful in securing additional basketball tournament bids.
According to Dunn’s report, one of the primary obstacles has been the NCAA’s hotel requirements. Current bid specifications require 10 high-quality hotels located near the competition venue, along with a substantial number of guest rooms and meeting spaces.
Worcester currently has eight hotels with a combined inventory of 1,023 rooms. That total includes the Hampton Inn and Courtyard by Marriott in Gateway Park, both of which were acquired by Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2024 with plans to eventually convert the properties into student housing.
Councilor Tony Economou said the report shows how vital those hotel rooms are to the city’s ability to attract large events.
“How important it is, how these tournaments are here for our city,” Economou said, “[with] 2.5 million in direct and indirect spending, and over 400 jobs supported. You know, I think those are numbers that can’t be glossed over.”
Economou also questioned what effect the eventual loss of the two Gateway Park hotels could have on future bids.
Batista said he did not have exact figures available during the meeting but estimated that more than 200 hotel rooms could be affected.
The discussion also touched on the condition of the DCU Center itself.
Mayor Joseph Petty asked whether the facility remains large enough to host NCAA basketball tournament games. Batista said capacity is not the issue, but noted that ongoing upgrades remain necessary to keep the arena competitive.
“We do have the capacity to host an NCAA, not probably the final, but I think we could do the first round, or perhaps even the second round of an NCAA tournament,” Batista said.
He pointed to recent improvements including new seating, a new scoreboard, sound system upgrades, improvements to the box office and lobby areas, and new exterior signage. However, he said additional work is still needed behind the scenes, including upgrades to locker rooms, bathrooms, plumbing systems and other operational areas.
Councilor Satya Mitra urged the administration to provide a clearer roadmap for future improvements.
“I absolutely agree with Councilor Economou that how important is for us to have sports activities in our city,” Mitra said.
Not all councilors were convinced the issue required extensive council involvement.
Councilor Robert Bilotta argued that organizations such as Discover Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce are already focused on attracting major events and tourism opportunities.
“I just feel like it’s a better use of our resources as city councilors to focus on, you know, neighborhood commerce,” Bilotta said.
Councilor Morris Bergman, however, cautioned that hotel rooms are only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
“I don’t want the expectations to be unrealistic,” Bergman said, noting that a forthcoming Economic Development Committee review is expected to outline additional challenges Worcester faces in competing for NCAA basketball tournaments.
After discussion, the city council voted 10-1 to refer the matter to its Economic Development Committee for further review. Bilotta cast the lone dissenting vote.
City officials say they plan to continue working with the College of the Holy Cross, the DCU Center and Discover Central Massachusetts to pursue future NCAA bids.
Under NCAA rules, bids must be submitted through a Division I college host institution. In Worcester, that role is filled by Holy Cross, with the DCU Center serving as the venue and Discover Central Massachusetts coordinating hospitality partners and hotel accommodations.
