City officials estimated that the 2007 weekend generated $15 million in economic impact, and the stadium's proximity to restaurants, hotels and shopping is one reason Mike Partridge of Atlanta and his family have already reserved tickets for 2010 and are making similar plans for 2011.
"Baltimore is the best spot because it brings together the 'family' of the lacrosse world," Partridge wrote in an e-mail. "Kids from all over the country gather together in the Inner Harbor for what becomes the mecca of lacrosse for a few days. The city is focused on the event, and there is a buzz about lacrosse everywhere that you go.
"Lacrosse takes over the entire city. [M&T Bank] Stadium is within walking distance of a bunch of hotels, and there is a community feel even as you walk from your hotel to the games."
Now the onus is on Baltimore to prove its claim to be the sport's hotbed. Carcaterra said he believes the lacrosse community will respond.
"I think Baltimore will draw a tremendous amount of people," he said. "I would be rather shocked if Baltimore doesn't draw 50,000 next year."
Drawing a crowd
Year Site Semifinals Finals Weekend 2003 M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 37,823 37,944 106,861
2004 M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 46,923 43,898 122,011
2005 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 45,275 44,920 133,801
2006 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia 49,562 47,062 144,604
2007 M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 51,719 48,302 146,003
2008 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. 48,224 48,970 145,828
2009 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. 36,594 41,935 102,601
Weekend attendance includes Division II and III title games.
Tickets on sale today
Tickets for the 2010 NCAA Divisions I, II and III men's lacrosse championships at M&T Bank Stadium will go on sale today at 10 a.m.
The championships return to Baltimore for the first time since 2007 and will take place Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31). The event includes the semifinals and final of the Division I championship, as well as the championship games of the Division II and Division III tournaments.
Nearly 12,000 tickets have been sold as part of a pre-sale offer to purchasers of past lacrosse events. Fans ordering tickets before Aug. 1 will have the option to purchase their same seats for the 2011 championships, also in Baltimore.
Fans interested in purchasing three-day, all-session tickets or hospitality packages have the following options:
* Online: http://www.ncaa.com/lacrosse2010 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.
* By phone: 410-547-SEAT (7328), 202-397-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT or 1-800-551-SEAT.
* By mail: Ticket brochures can be downloaded at http://www.ncaa.com/lacrosse2010.
* In person: Fans can visit the Ravens ticket office at M&T Bank Stadium.
For information, call 410-261-RAVE (7283).
