The Myrtle Beach Invitational college basketball tournament resulted in a championship title for Liberty University (go "flames") and a big economic win for the Grand Strand region. That's according to reports coming in from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), which announced the three-day tournament that wrapped up on Nov. 19, 2023, provided an estimated $2 million economic impact to the region. Wow - that's impressive!
Our friend Jonathan Paris, executive director of sports tourism for the CVB and its brand Visit Myrtle Beach, shared this statement, “This year’s Myrtle Beach Invitational was yet another resounding success not only in terms of allowing the participating student athletes to engage in top-tier competition here along the Grand Strand, but by providing a timely boost to our local businesses prior to the holiday season,” said
Contributing to this economic impact, the tournament brings in eight teams from across the country: Liberty, Vermont, Wichita State, St. Louis and Wyoming, Coastal Carolina University (CCU), College of Charleston and Furman University. The three South Carolina schools especially helped boost fan participation, Paris said.
Great job to all the teams who participated and brought in their families and friends to root them on. In total, over the event’s three days, more than 7,530 fans attended the 12 games held at CCU’s HTC Center, which employs both full- and part-time staff. The HTC Center was a fantastic host venue for the tournament.
Additionally, ESPN broadcasted each game on their channels, showcasing the Myrtle Beach area to viewers nationally.
ESPN Events will also host the Myrtle Beach Bowl game, which will also have a large economic impact to the the Grand Strand. That event will be held at CCU on Dec. 16. MyrtleBeachBowlGame.com.
