The Raleigh venue is one of 14 places across the country where 68 men’s basketball teams will compete in March Madness and try to become national champions. This year, first- and second-round games will be held at the venue. N.C. State University is the official host of the Raleigh games.

Raleigh last hosted March Madness in 2016. According to Dupree, two-thirds of fans came from outside central North Carolina and third of the fans came from out of state that year. This year’s tournament is expected to generate 10,000 hotel room stays.