5 events that will rule 2024 in Cleveland
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Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
2024 is shaping up to be an eventful year in Cleveland.
Why it matters: The city will host a handful of events intended to draw national and global attention:
When: April 5 and 7
The intrigue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hosts this year's NCAA Women's Final Four, which follows a 2023 Final Four that was the most-viewed in the event's history.
- This year's Final Four could feature major college stars like Iowa's Caitlin Clark, LSU's Angel Reese and UConn's Paige Bueckers.
When: April 8
The intrigue: One day after the Final Four, Cleveland will find itself in the full path of a total solar eclipse for the first time in more than 200 years.
- The city has been hyping the eclipse for more than a year. The event even helped Cleveland make the list of top places to travel in 2024 for both Travel & Leisure magazine and The Points Guy.
When: July 12-21
The intrigue: The global, multisport event will draw 10,000 athletes plus thousands more fans to Greater Cleveland.
- Not only will it be the biggest international event in Cleveland history, according to organizers, but also generate $25 million in economic impact.
When: Fall
The intrigue: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions return to Cleveland for the first time since 2021, bringing major musicians back here on a yet-to-be-determined date this fall, likely the first weekend in November.
- The ceremony streamed live on Disney+ in 2023. You can expect the museum to put together a week's worth of festivities in the lead-up.
🗳️ Election Day
When: Nov. 5
The intrigue: If you thought last November's election — with abortion rights and marijuana legalization on the ballot — was intense, 2024 features what is expected to be a wild general election.
- Ohio, which former President Trump won in 2020, could be a swing state, with eyes on Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown looking to defend his seat against Republican candidates state Sen. Matt Dolan, businessman Bernie Moreno and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
- Ballots this year could also feature constitutional amendments to reform the state's voting system, raise the minimum wage and adjust the redistricting process.