(Atlantic City, NJ, January 12, 2018) – The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) today announced three major sports and entertainment events for Atlantic City in 2018, under the terms of a unique alliance with IMG approved by the Board earlier this year. IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion.
The events and dates include:
Event: 25th PBR: Unleash the Beast
Dates: September 14-16, 2018
Location: Historic Boardwalk Hall
Details: Professional Bull Riders’ signature tour stop will bring the leading western lifestyle event to Atlantic City, in its sole 2018 stop in the Mid-Atlantic region. The event will include two nights of showcase bull riding competition and live music and will be broadcast nationally through PBR’s partnership with CBS Sports. www.pbr.com
Event: Bear Grylls Survival Challenge
Dates: October 12-14, 2018
Location: Throughout Atlantic City, with headquarters at Historic Boardwalk Hall
Details: The Bear Grylls Survival Challenge (BGSC) is an outdoor competitive survival experience inspired by the encounters and well-honed skills of the ultimate survival authority, Bear Grylls. This event – just the second in a worldwide Challenge Series – will take place throughout Atlantic City’s famous landmarks, including the boardwalk, beach/surf and historic buildings. The event will include two days of competition and a Survival Trade Expo. http://www.beargryllssurvivalchallenge.com/
Event: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Hoop-La College Basketball Quadruple-Header
Date: December 15, 2018
Location: Historic Boardwalk Hall
Details: Big-time college basketball will return to Boardwalk Hall with eight top Division I men’s teams competing on the hardwood. This will be part of the Hoop Hall’s national series of college events, which in 2017 included stops at Staples Center in Los Angeles; American Airlines Arena in Miami; and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.
“These events with IMG are a dynamic first round of exciting entertainment, which achieves our goal of generating multi-night stays and regional exposure year-round with best-in-class sports and entertainment content for Atlantic City,” said Chris Howard, CRDA’s Executive Director.
“The IMG team is a global leader in creating and executing extraordinary events and this partnership with IMG is already paying dividends for Atlantic City. It is great to have PBR back in our market, to revitalize the college basketball presence at Boardwalk Hall, and to launch a spectacular new experience with Bear Grylls. Best of all, there is more to come,” said Bob Mulcahy, CRDA’s Chairman.
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About the CRDA:
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process. For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/njcrda.
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