CIAA Changes and Ticket Sales

CHARLOTTE, NC — For the first time in five years, next week’s CIAA tournament will not be an extraordinary event.

CMPD did not make a recommendation to the Charlotte City Manager that the tournament be an extraordinary event. So, there will be no declaration by the City Manager.

Last week, the CIAA Commissioner announced ticket sales are down. Final numbers won’t be available until the event is over.

There are 70 concerts, fairs and events, 300 athletes and 22 basketball games starting next week.

“This event helps you throughout the year,” said James MacCullar with Epic Times in the Epicenter.

Small business managers like him rely on the CIAA basketball tournament every year.

“During CIAA, you get the boost from surrounding states people bringing money from New York, L.A.,” said MacCullar. “A lot if people purchasing and buying stuff.”

However, ticket sales are down, particularly among locals, the CIAA Commissioner told City Council last week.

“This is the one challenge that I’ve shared,” said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.

The CIAA says it had a nearly $58 million economic impact in Charlotte last year.

Visitors filled more than 95 percent of hotels in Uptown, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

This year, the commissioner told council, “We’re not selling hotels. Which they’re down, and we know reasons, not just House Bill Two, but theres a lot of things that are influencing why folks aren’t coming here.”

A spokesperson tells me some fans were unsure about the location. To see information on locations, click here.

This year, some of the games are being held at Bojangles Coliseum because NBA All-Star weekend events were supposed to happen at the Spectrum Center.

However, the city lost All-Star weekend over House Bill Two.

Despite slow ticket sales and the additional venue, businesses are expecting crowds to still come to the parties in Uptown.

“It’s crazy. There’s always a lot of entertainment, a lot of people watching going on,” said MacCullar.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation is also preparing locals to deal with traffic jams due to crowds.

Starting Wednesday, 150 school buses will be transporting students and parking around the Uptown area during Education Day. There are no planned street closures for this, but sporadic closures of 5th St. near the Spectrum arena may occur after key games end.

When pedestrian traffic is high, turning on side streets from College St. and Tryon St. may be prohibited.

On Friday and Saturday, on street parking will be limited on Trade St., Church St., Tryon St., College St., 5th St. and 6th St.

To see a list of tournament events and concerts, click here.