South Bend buzzing with excitement amid WNBA preseason game

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The City of South Bend is welcoming the WNBA to town.

The Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces are set to face off against each other at Purcell Pavilion this Friday in a preseason matchup.

Not only does this happen to be the first preseason game of the year for the WNBA, but it marks of the homecoming of three former Irish standouts- Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale.

"When you throw this special event in in the form of a WNBA game, you have one more opportunity to highlight and showcase something really special and something really impactful. It just speaks to the importance of the university to our community, and so we look forward to adding even more of these events," Executive Director Visit South Bend Mishawaka Jeff Jarnecke said.

Jarnecke says although the economic impact may be more regional than national, regional traffic means real dollars spent at local hotels, shops and restaurants, which he calls a win no matter what.

This game will mark the WNBA debut of Paige Bueckers, the number one overall pick in this year's draft. Fresh off a national championship, she joins a new Wings roster aiming to make some noise this season.

The Aces, led by reigning MVP A’ja Wilson, are looking to integrate new talent, including six-time all-star Loyd, who was acquired in a major offseason trade.

Jarnecke says with Notre Dame being the county's biggest tourist attraction, this game adds to South Bend's reputation as a destination hub for sports and entertainment.

"It's an incredible lineup that really just talks about the vitality and energy and excitement that's in South Bend and in Mishawaka. I think there's been a thirst for those different things to do in our community and the idea that we can add a professional event, more importantly, a women's professional event in the form of a WNBA game to South Bend is an incredible honor and an incredible special opportunity for us to have in our community," Jarnecke said.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased online.