Syracuse, N.Y. -- The ball is rolling for the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in Syracuse, which will run from late March to early July.

The USBC Open Championships will bring in up to $75 million to the local economy with 35,000 bowlers competing for a prize fund expected to approach $5 million.



The 2018 tournament will last for 107 days, concluding July 8. The custom-built 48-lane venue also will play host to the USBC Masters from April 8-15, reuniting the two events for the first time since 2011.



The Open Championships last was held in Syracuse in 1999, and the upcoming return will mark the fifth time the event has traveled to the Salt City. It also was held there in 1935, 1958 and 1973.



The transformation of the Oncenter Convention Center got underway Dec. 11 and includes vendor and office space, scale room and squad room, locker and concessions areas and seating for hundreds of friends, family and bowling fans.



The entry deadline for the event now will be March 24 to coincide with the start of competition.