Kayla Mae Jackson/Cronkite News

The NCAA men’s basketball trophy stands in the gym at Eastlake Park Community Center in Phoenix at the unveiling of the NCAA Men’s Final Four Legacy Project there on April 2.

Attendance at the NCAA Men’s Final Four is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels for the first time this weekend. 

Researchers with Common Sense Institute Arizona estimate about 75,000  attendees will travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

The economic research group projects the tournament will generate about $300 million in sports and tourism dollars. 

"We estimate somewhere between 30 and 45% of the total economic activity is attributable to those out of state visitors. Those out-of-state visitors will in turn generate about 15 to $20 million in state and local sales tax revenue," said Glenn Farley with Common Sense Institute Arizona.

Arizona last hosted the Final Four in 2017.