Hotels, retail brought in millions in 2023 from SEC Women's Tournament in Greenville

A.J. Jackson, Greenville News
·2 min read

In Greenville's seven years hosting the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Women's Basketball Tournament, 2023 landed the largest economic impact ever, according to a study provided by VisitGreenvilleSC.

Visit Greenville SC also handles marketing efforts for the BMW Charity Pro-AM, Gallabrae Scottish Games, and the most recent, Greenville Jazz Festival. The group's website sees 6,000 to 7,000 visitors a day and tracks the spending habits of locals and visitors during these high-volume events.

Last year, Greenville businesses saw total direct visitor spending of $9.8 million in economic impact due to the annual women's tournament.

In comparison, the 2022 NCAA Men’s Tournament in Greenville accumulated $5.6 million in direct spending and contributed $9 million in total economic impact to the county, while the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament amassed around $4.2 million in direct spending and $6.6 million in total economic impact, according to Taryn Scher of TKPR.

Tennessee fans high-five the team as they leave the court after winning the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game four that resulted in a 76-62 win for Tennessee at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Tennessee fans high-five the team as they leave the court after winning the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game four that resulted in a 76-62 win for Tennessee at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Breakdown of spending from Greenville visitors

Of the $9.8 million direct spending in Greenville, $2.8 million came from lodging and $1.9 million was from food and beverages, with a majority of the spending of around $5.1 million coming from local retail businesses, area attractions, recreation, parking, and other forms of entertainment.

Saturday night was the busiest night of the tournament in 2023, and figures to be the same this year, as downtown hotels saw a 94% occupancy rate and 85% of hotels across Greenville County.

SEC Fan Fests: SEC Women's Basketball Tournament in Greenville: Downtown Dribble, Sunkist Fanfare Event

For the entire five-day tournament, downtown hotels achieved 85% occupancy, and the overall county achieved 76 percent.

Tennessee guard Jasmine Powell (15) moves the ball during the second half of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game four that resulted in a 76-62 win for Tennessee at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Tennessee guard Jasmine Powell (15) moves the ball during the second half of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game four that resulted in a 76-62 win for Tennessee at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Future of SEC Women's Basketball Tournament in Greenville

In total, Greenville has hosted the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament seven times beginning back in 2005 at the Bi-Lo Center, which is now called the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena has hosted the conference tournament in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, last year and this season, and has already been confirmed as a host site for the 2025 tournament.

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With new hotels and attractions expected to arrive before next spring's SEC Women's Tournament, the economic impact should be even greater.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Visitors spent $9.8 million at 2023 SEC Women's Tournament in Greenville