TAMPA, Fla. — For a record-breaking fourth time, the NCAA Women's Final Four is being held in Tampa Bay. 

Bringing in thousands of fans, the event brings in a lot of money to the community and impacts our local businesses. 

What You Need To Know

  • The NCAA Women's Final Four returns to Tampa Bay for the fourth time

  • In 2008, Tampa Bay hosted the Final Four for the first time leading to a direct economic impact of $19 million

  • This year, the economic impact is expected to be around $30 million

Top Shelf Sports Lounge owner and manager Joe Boyd said getting ready this weekend takes more preparation than usual. 

"Designing the dining room to the customers satisfaction, preparing the food in extremely large quantities, getting ready for just a very busy weekend," he said. "Definitely a lot of planning before the event."

A Tampa native, Boyd loves seeing the Final Four return.

While the business originally opened in 2017, he said this is their first time experiencing the Final Four at this location. 

"This will be one of our busiest weekends," Boyd said. "We'll have all year separate from a Gaspirilla or maybe Saint Paddy's Day."

In 2008, Tampa Bay hosted the Final Four for the first time, which led to a direct economic impact of $19 million, according to the city of Tampa.

This year, the event is expected to have an economic impact of around $30 million.