About 8,000 people came to the Quad Cities this past weekend for basketball, and they'll be back next year.
The Missouri Valley Conference women's tournament ended Sunday, but it already agreed to return to the TaxSlayer Center through 2021.
Patty Viverito, head administrator for women’s basketball in the conference, says attendance is just one reason to stay in the Quad Cities.
"Oh, the benefit first and foremost is a neutral site. And really just an opportunity to grow a tradition in a single place, and to do so with such a welcoming community and very strong support from both Visit Quad Cities and the TaxSlayer arena."
Viverito says the Quad Cities also benefits from the agreement with the convention and visitors bureau.
"It's high-level, division one competition, so we've got lots of role models out there on the floor playing the game in a really exciting way. We have financial benefits. We think we have entertainment value. And hopefully a lot of our fans who come will know more about the Quad Cities and will find more reason to visit than just March."
Several Missouri Valley Conference teams will play in the NCAA tournament, including the tournament champion, Missouri State, and Drake which won the regular season title.