There’s nothing quite like the NCAA tournament. They call it March Madness for a reason: because it provides edge-of-your-seat men’s college basketball entertainment unlike anything else. The craziness that regularly ensues is what captivates the nation.
Sure, that No. 15 seed just ruined your bracket. But who cares? What a game! What an upset!
And while most of us are content to watch the games on television, fans around the country follow their team to catch the games live and in person.
Where will the teams who make the cut on Selection Sunday be heading? Let’s break it down.
Where Will March Madness Be Held in the Coming Years?
Each year the slate of host cities changes. The only constant is Dayton, Ohio. Dayton hosts the First Four games of the NCAA tournament, mainly because of its central location.
The city is easily accessible to most Americans and the city has this down to a science at this point. Dayton has hosted the opening round since 2001 and the First Four since 2011.
This experience means a smooth experience for teams, media and fans.
March Madness Host Cities for 2025
March Madness Host Cities for 2026
March Madness Host Cities for 2027
March Madness Host Cities for 2028
How Cities Are Chosen to Host March Madness
The NCAA hosts a bidding process for cities to get March Madness games. Overall, the process involves evaluating proposals submitted by the city or the venue. Certain requirements must be met for a city or venue to be considered.
Cities will submit a bid or proposal to the NCAA. Those proposals are then evaluated by NCAA officials. Each host city must meet certain criteria to be selected.
Venue Requirements: The NCAA requires that venues seeking to host the first and second rounds have at least 10,000 seats. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds require at least 15,000 seats. For the Final Four, the NCAA usually opts for stadiums or domes with at least 60,000 seats. These facilities must have modern amenities and the infrastructure capable of accommodating the massive influx of viewers safely and efficiently.
Hotels and Infrastructure: Host cities must have a sufficient number of hotels within a short distance to the arena. The NCAA also considers nearby eateries and attractions when selecting host cities. Public transportation, road conditions and traffic patterns are also studied.
Previous Experience: The NCAA gives preference to cities that previously and successfully hosted tournament games. A huge influx of people can create a number of problems quickly, so past experience is highly valuable.
Community Impact: When evaluating bids, the NCAA considers the economic benefits to the city and local communities. Submitted proposals often highlight potential partnerships with local organizations.
Geographic Distribution: Nationwide accessibility to games is a must for the NCAA, so host cities are scattered throughout the U.S. to ensure that fans don’t need cross-country flights to watch the tournament live.
Financial Considerations: It is very common for host cities and venues to offer revenue sharing deals in their proposals. This obviously strengthens the bid as it reduces the cost for the NCAA.
Future Final Four Host Cities
Cities with a Strong History of Hosting March Madness
According to NCAA.com, New York, Greensboro, S.C., and Indianapolis are the active leaders in March Madness games hosted.
Madison Square Garden has hosted 80 games, the Greensboro Coliseum has hosted 69 and the RCA Dome has hosted 60.
San Antonio has hosted the Final Four a record five times for men’s basketball. By 2029, Indianapolis will also have hosted the event five times. Houston has hosted three times, as has Atlanta.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Future March Madness Host Cities for 2025, 2026 and Beyond.
