CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament is being held in Charlotte one last time before it moves to Baltimore.

This is the 15^th year the city hosted the week-long tournament among historically black colleges and universities.

The tournament, which is in its 75th year, is hosting 22 games this week, CIAA Minority Business Leadership Symposium, CIAA Career Expo, CIAA Education Day, and other outreach events.

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority estimates the events have attracted 130,000 fans every year. In addition, the tournament has brought $600 million in total economic impact, including $370 million in direct visitor spending thus far.

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams said their experience in Charlotte has been great.

“There are so many things that go on with the CIAA that is truly making impact in this community but also our member institutions are recruiting students, and are recruiting great talent,” McWilliams said.

The event will be held in Baltimore from 2021 to 2023.

Fans have mixed emotions about the change. 

Darryl Fletcher, who traveled from Virginia, said the new venue will be closer to him.

“We are looking forward to going to Baltimore," Fletcher said.

Yolanda Wilson who lives in Charlotte is sad to see the event leave the Queen City.

“I’m heartbroken that they are thinking about taking away from Charlotte. I think because it’s been grounded here and uprooted here, this is where it needs to be,” Wilson said.

Charlotte City Council Member at Large James Mitchell, who initially helped to bring the tournament, said he is disappointed it will not be held here anymore.

“There are not a lot of tournaments in this country that can replace the CIAA basketball tournament, so to me it was a big blow to what I call the Charlotte ‘our mystique,’ that we normally don’t lose things. We are always on the winning side,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he thinks Baltimore won the bid because it offered better hotel prices, corporate sponsorships, and one venue for the basketball games.

McWilliams told Spectrum News many factors are taken into consideration.

“I don’t think Charlotte missed anything. Their bid was as competitive as the other cities. I think the board made a decision with the choice to move the tournament to a different location to provide a different opportunity and experience for our fans and our students,” McWilliams said.

Yolanda Wilson and her husband, Rolando Willis, may travel to Baltimore for the games but they wish the tournament will come back.

“I would love to see it back in Charlotte again so fingers crossed," Willis said.

In collaboration with the city, county, venues, and hotels, the CRVA plans to put forward a bid for the tournament to return to Charlotte in 2024.