The city of Bridgeport is getting ready for a big weekend with thousands of basketball fans coming in from hundreds of miles away to watch the women's NCAA tournament.

A wave of UConn, Indiana, Notre Dame and North Carolina State fans will be in Bridgeport to cheer on their teams for a big weekend at Total Mortgage Arena.

Bars and restaurants in Bridgeport say this will be a huge business revival for them, something they haven't seen since COVID put a pause on big sports tournaments with spectators.

Several bars and restaurants are increasing their staffing for the influx of fans they anticipate will come out.

"We expect to be busy right off the bat. We have fan clubs from both Indiana and UConn planning to be right here when we open. They both called up and asked if they could rent rooms. We have one room rented and the other other one will wander around... we expect to be full from the moment we open and all day long," said Jeff Browning Sr., from the Brewport Brewing Co.

Some bars and restaurants in Bridgeport say if you do plan on eating or drinking local to have patience as some aren't up to full capacity with their staff and are dealing with certain shortages on items.