KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the tenth year in a row, Kansas City will welcome Big 12 Conference fans to the Sprint Center.
The games tip-off on Wednesday and preparations have been underway downtown and at area businesses.
"March is definitely our month," Josie Hunter, general manager of Homeslice Pizza and Pints, said. "They call it march madness for a reason."
For months, Hunter has been stocking up for Big 12 Championship week. This is only the second year Homeslice Pizza and Pints has been open during the tournament. Hunter said 2018 was successful, but this tournament week will be a slam dunk.
"We've already had a great month," she said. "We're just looking to build on that and have fun and give guests a great experience."
Homeslice Pizza and Pints is within walking distance of the Sprint Center. Other restaurants that are not said they're still expecting the rush of fans.
"We're expecting it to kind of be the calm before the storm tomorrow and then Thursday and Friday will be the really big event where we'll see a lot of people come through," Sam Hagan, co-founder of Tribe Street Kitchen, said.
Tribe Street Kitchen opened in the River Market one week after the 2018 Big 12 Championship.
"We just missed the mark last year, but we're excited because the way the streetcar works, it connects people to the downtown market," Hagan said.
Hagan said he's expecting the restaurant to be busy thanks to the streetcar. Customers will be able to enjoy a meal, hop on the streetcar and make it over to the Sprint Center in about 10 minutes.
"From our front door to the streetcar stop, it's 30 steps; I tested it a couple of times," Hagan said.
Visit KC is estimating the Big 12 Championship will pour more than $14.5 million into the metro's economy. Even with rain in the forecast, both restaurants are predicting a huge increase in sales.
"We're inside so it might bring them in and make them stay longer," Hunter said.
This week marks the 18th time the Big 12 Tournament has been held in Kansas City. It's the 11th time at the Sprint Center and that will continue through 2021.
