The University of Pennsylvania and the Eagles will host the NCAA men's lacrosse championships at Lincoln Financial Field for the next 2 years, a series of events that the planners hope will attract more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Twice before the championship was held in Philadelphia at Franklin Field, but the 1973 game attracted only 7,000 spectators.

By 1992, when the championships returned, it had become a 3-day event, involving Divisions I, II and III and drawing 50,000 spectators. Now, the hope is to draw more than the 109,000 who saw the games in Baltimore last year.

Steve Bilsky, Penn's athletic director, said that the state has a strong lacrosse community and that Penn itself plays a tough nationally competitive schedule.

Mayor Street said the city is a "spectacular place and world-class venue" that will proudly host the event at one of the finest stadiums in the nation.

The Philadelphia Sports Congress estimated that the annual impact for the city could reach $25 million.

"This is proof positive that the investments we are making in our recreational infrastructure of our city are paying off in a huge way," Street said.

Next year's championship will be held May 28-30. Tickets range from $40 to $60 for the 3-day event.