The Southern Conference basketball tournament will return March 8-11 at U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville and Kimmel Arena at nearby UNC Asheville.

Last year’s tournament in Asheville drew more than 40,000 people.

A 10 percent increase in Asheville’s hotel occupancy occurred last March, according to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. 

The local impact of the tournament was projected at $4 million. Last year’s tournament brought the city $106,000 in profits and the SoCon, $66,000.

The SoCon’s 23 men’s and women’s teams will play 21 games over four days. All of the men’s games will be played at the U.S. Cellular Center downtown.

Seven first- and second-round women’s games will be played at UNCA’s Kimmel Arena, before shifting to U.S. Cellular for the semifinals and final.

The SoCon tournament was held from 1984 to 1995 in Asheville and was profitable. The tourney returned to Asheville last year after an $8.9 million renovation of the U.S. Cellular Center.