NCAA announces Regional and (2024-2025) Final Four sites

[southie]

Birmingham, AL sure seems out of place. Don't believe any regionals in that state since maybe back when Auburn hosted one as Top 4 seed.

 

[Plebe]

Birmingham, AL sure seems out of place. Don't believe any regionals in that state since maybe back when Auburn hosted one as Top 4 seed.

I'm guessing Birmingham is a bone thrown to the success of Mississippi State; Starkville is just over a 2-hour drive away.

 

[Plebe]

Lorcan - Nice well worded reply that did in no way answer the question or respond to the facts. The left side of the sites had a NE, SE, S, SC which the right side was ALL Pac-12 area teams in adjoining states with The California site in the northern part of California so I would classify those as all NW. There are NO North Central locations or Mid West (perhaps Texas which I classified as South Central). It is grossly unfair to all regions not NW.

Sacramento is a 12-hour drive from Seattle and a 13-and-a-half-hour drive from Spokane. Far closer to Tijuana than to either of those two cities. Quite a stretch to call Sacramento "NW".

 

[southie]

I'm open to trying new strategies to increase interest and fan attendance. That being said, I'm surprised the committee didn't choose larger, newer arenas in cities that are easily accessible (airport hubs) and a bit more centralized. I mean, just off the top off my head, Denver would be a great choice, IMO.

And, was it Bridgeport or Albany where Maryland fans couldn't find tickets on the open market? But, now the NCAA is gonna send 8 teams to Albany (knowing good and well that UConn fans will gobble up those tickets months and advance as their team would be a near shoe-in to be seeded in that regional)?

Not sure, but I believe the arenas in Seattle, Sacramento, and Birmingham are very old; I may not have kept up with recent/future constructions in those cities.

 

[southie]

Meanwhile, West coast women's volleyball fans are livid that the NCAA committee continues to snub their time zone:

 

[Husky fanatic]

I'm looking forward to Phoenix. Early April is prime weather and they have some of the most beautiful golf courses in the country. I'd make that a week-long trip.

Hoping to live long enough to make it to Phoenix

 

[Lorcan]

Regional Sites since 2005.

Northeast (13)

Albany (2019, 2018, 2015)
Bridgeport (2017, 2016, 2013, 2006)
Norfolk (2013,
Kingston (2012
Philadelphia (2011, 2005)
Boston (2006^)
Trenton (2009)

MIDWEST (16)

Lexington (2018, 2017, 2016)
Columbus (2018^)
Louisville (2014
Dayton (2011, 2010, 2007)
Cleveland (2007^, 2006)
Chicago (2019)
Fort Wayne (2020*)
Indianapolis (2016^ 2011^, 2005^)
South Bend (2014)

CENTRAL PLAINS (15)

Kansas City (2018, 2010, 2005)
Oklahoma City (2017, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2008)
Sioux Falls (2016)
Lincoln (2014)
Des Moines (2012)
San Antonio (2010^, 2006)
St. Louis (2009^)
Denver (2012^)

SOUTH (16)

Greenville (2020*)
New Orleans (2020^, 2013^, 2008)
Greensboro (2019, 2015, 2008, 2007)
Tampa Bay (2019^, 2015^, 2008^)
Nashville (2014^)
Raleigh (2012, 2009)
Memphis (2010)
Chattanooga (2005)

WEST (15)

Portland (2019, 2020*)
Spokane (2018, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2008)
Stockton (2017)
Stanford (2014)
Fresno (2012, 2007)
Sacramento (2010)
Berkeley (2009)
Tempe (2005)
Albuquerque (2006)


*Tournament Cancelled, ^Final Four Host


I thought it'd be useful to give a quick rundown of past hosts. Given this run down, it's interesting to see which sites have continually had a chance to host, such as Spokane, Oklahoma City, and any city close to UConn. I'd point out that even though the West or other regions might have more sites than the North East, they are MUCH more spread out geographically and a longer travel for teams out West. Stanford going to Spokane, Tempe, or Albuquerque requires a flight. To capture what we have moving forward:

2021: San Antonio (Albany, Spokane, Austin, Cincinnati)
2022: Minneapolis (Bridgeport, Greensboro, Wichita, Spokane)
2023: Dallas (Greenville and Seattle)
2024: Cleveland (Albany and Portland)
2025: Tampa (Birmingham and Spokane)
2026: Phoenix (Sacramento and Fort Worth)

Seeing it laid out like this, I wish they could have switched years on some of these cities. For example, maybe switching Albany and Birmingham in 2024 and 2025 would be prudent; however, as Paige Bueckers last year, I can see why they might want to be in Albany. I'll be very curious to see how this is played out.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm open to trying new strategies to increase interest and fan attendance. That being said, I'm surprised the committee didn't choose larger, newer arenas in cities that are easily accessible (airport hubs) and a bit more centralized. I mean, just off the top off my head, Denver would be a great choice, IMO.

And, was it Bridgeport or Albany where Maryland fans couldn't find tickets on the open market? But, now the NCAA is gonna send 8 teams to Albany (knowing good and well that UConn fans will gobble up those tickets months and advance as their team would be a near shoe-in to be seeded in that regional)?

Not sure, but I believe the arenas in Seattle, Sacramento, and Birmingham are very old; I may not have kept up with recent/future constructions in those cities.

Sacramento has a 4 year old $500 million arena built right downtown... Seattle is redoing its arena at a price tag of almost 1 billion dollars... should be finished next year I think. Birmingham's arena is undergoing a big renovation project as well.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Not sure, but I believe the arenas in Seattle

Currently being refurbished and should be much improved when reopened. Will be home to the new NHL Kraken.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'm not crazy about 2 Regional sites...but since Seattle, Portland and Spokane get to host the first 3 years under the new format, I guess I can't complain. Final 4 west of the Rockies in '26, about dang time!

 

[southie]

When the format is shrunk to two regional sites (2023: Greenville, SC and Seattle, WA; 2024: Albany, NY and Portland, OR) and they are on opposite coasts, it's going to be lots of travel miles for the expected upper echelon teams like UConn, South Carolina, Oregon, and Stanford to name a few, if they aren't the top overall national seed; the brackets will be like none before.

 

[bballnut90]

Meanwhile, West coast women's volleyball fans are livid that the NCAA committee continues to snub their time zone:

West coast volleyball fans don't attend matches. Honestly it's smart to keep the venues close to Omaha since Nebraska fans travel so heavily. I was at the championships last year in Pittsburgh and the number of fans in Nebraska gear was astounding considering their team wasn't even playing.

 

[bballnut90]

I don't understand the appeal of the 2 regional set up. Most of these places just aren't going to draw well for games without a home team playing. Look at Sacramento, for example. The only program relatively close by is Stanford 2 hrs away, and Stanford's attendance is pretty poor to begin with. Even Albany, sure UCONN will draw well but the attendance isn't going to be good for 3 of the other 4 games.

From an attendance standpoint, it's a real shame the regionals didn't happen this year considering we likely would've had record fan attendance with Baylor, SC, and Oregon all playing close to home. Not to mention Louisville being relatively close to Fort Wayne. Would've likely been one of the more competitive NCAA tournaments we've had as well.

 

[bballnut90]

When the format is shrunk to two regional sites (2023: Greenville, SC and Seattle, WA; 2024: Albany, NY and Portland, OR) and they are on opposite coasts, it's going to be lots of travel miles for the expected upper echelon teams like UConn, South Carolina, Oregon, and Stanford to name a few, if they aren't the top overall national seed; the brackets will be like none before.

Going out on a limb, but I'm guessing regionals will be allocated based on location first rather than matchup. So in 2024, if UCONN/SC are #1/2, they'll both host in Albany but will be on the opposite side of the bracket and wouldn't meet until the the title.

 

[southie]

West coast volleyball fans don't attend matches. Honestly it's smart to keep the venues close to Omaha since Nebraska fans travel so heavily. I was at the championships last year in Pittsburgh and the number of fans in Nebraska gear was astounding considering their team wasn't even playing.

But, that doesn't help grow the sport, which is what the NCAA says it wants to do . . .

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm open to trying new strategies to increase interest and fan attendance. That being said, I'm surprised the committee didn't choose larger, newer arenas in cities that are easily accessible (airport hubs) and a bit more centralized. I mean, just off the top off my head, Denver would be a great choice, IMO.

I've been beating this drum for years on this site... and I've been meaning to write the people in Charlotte for years (i'm a terrible procrastinator) ... but Charlotte would be a great site for a Final 4. They have one of the top 5-10 airport hubs in the country.. is centrally located on the east coast... has a modern arena right in the middle of downtown surrounded by thousands of hotel rooms... restaurants...... and the arena is located right next to a light rail system that leads directly to other nearby hotspots with more restaurants, nightspots etc... and the convention center is a block away (also connected to the light rail)

 

[southie]

Going out on a limb, but I'm guessing regionals will be allocated based on location first rather than matchup. So in 2024, if UCONN/SC are #1/2, they'll both host in Albany but will be on the opposite side of the bracket and wouldn't meet until the the title.

I hadn't thought of it like that. Figured the #1 and #2 national seeds would not be sent to the same regional site; but, I guess they could since 2 teams from each regional site would advance to the Final Four. If that was an option, and the bracket held, then you'd have the #1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16 seeds in one regional site.

On the not so bright side, if you had #1 & 2 seeds UConn and South Carolina sent to Greenville in 2023 and Albany in 2024, can you imagine the hostile environment for that non-home team as the home fan base would for sure be rooting against them?

 

[southie]

I've been beating this drum for years on this site... and I've been meaning to write the people in Charlotte for years (i'm a terrible procrastinator) ... but Charlotte would be a great site for a Final 4. They have one of the top 5-10 airport hubs in the country.. is centrally located on the east coast... has a modern arena right in the middle of downtown surrounded by thousands of hotel rooms... restaurants...... and the arena is located right next to a light rail system that leads directly to other nearby hotspots with more restaurants, nightspots etc... and the convention center is a block away (also connected to the light rail)

Charlotte for sure would be a great choice. They hosted in 1996 with UConn, Tennessee, Georgia, and Stanford. Regionally speaking, they now have great proximity to Final Four contenders like Louisville, South Carolina, NC State, and Maryland; and, Tennessee fans always travel well.

 

[bballnut90]

I hadn't thought of it like that. Figured the #1 and #2 national seeds would not be sent to the same regional site; but, I guess they could since 2 teams from each regional site would advance to the Final Four. If that was an option, and the bracket held, then you'd have the #1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16 seeds in one regional site.

On the not so bright side, if you had #1 & 2 seeds UConn and South Carolina sent to Greenville in 2023 and Albany in 2024, can you imagine the hostile environment for that non-home team as the home fan base would for sure be rooting against them?

I think that'd be a bigger issue on the men's side. Realistically the opposing fan bases wont come out in big numbers for the non-home team, let alone actively root against them or create a hostile environment. That's my guess at any rate.

 

[southie]

I think that'd be a bigger issue on the men's side. Realistically the opposing fan bases wont come out in big numbers for the non-home team, let alone actively root against them or create a hostile environment. That's my guess at any rate.

It would be unchartered territory for sure. I guess it all depends on the fan base. Pure speculation, but in a scenario where UConn is #1 and South Carolina is #2 and the regional site is in Greenville, SC, I can see the Gamecock fans coming out for UConn's Elite 8 matchup which would be either before or after USC's Elite 8 matchup. It would be part of a double-header where two teams will advance to the Final Four.

We all know that fans with no direct vested interest in the outcome of a game tend to root for the underdog, especially if there's a chance for a huge upset.

 

[Boreifs]

Each site would have 4 games in round 3, or 2 a day. ESPN will want games at noon, 3pm 5pm and 9pm. If the west coast game is 9pm it would be 11pm on the east coast. The other option is to play 2 games at the same time and I don't think that happens by the S16.

If the west coast game is at nine, it will be midnight on the east coast. We have four time zones.

 

[MSGRET]

I've been beating this drum for years on this site... and I've been meaning to write the people in Charlotte for years (i'm a terrible procrastinator) ... but Charlotte would be a great site for a Final 4. They have one of the top 5-10 airport hubs in the country.. is centrally located on the east coast... has a modern arena right in the middle of downtown surrounded by thousands of hotel rooms... restaurants...... and the arena is located right next to a light rail system that leads directly to other nearby hotspots with more restaurants, nightspots etc... and the convention center is a block away (also connected to the light rail)

I believe that Las Vegas might get a FF before Charlotte. ESPN is pushing the regionals being combined for cost reasons and they recently opened a studio here in Vegas in one of the casinos. There have been rumblings throughout the sport books that they (ESPN) are pushing for a Woman's FF in Vegas in the near future.

 

[MSGRET]

I'm looking forward to Phoenix. Early April is prime weather and they have some of the most beautiful golf courses in the country. I'd make that a week-long trip.

Being from Vegas, I just might make a week of it also. I'm going to buy tickets for the men's 2023 regionals here in Vegas. It's going to be held at the T-Mobile Arena. Vegas made bids for the first time this year and received 9 NCAA sanctioned events, 5 of them DIV 1. In 2023 the first D1 events awarded are the men's regionals for golf and basketball, plus the women's bowling championship. Then in 2024 they have the D1 women's golf regionals and in 2026 they have the D1 men's hockey Frozen Four. The city is also hosting in 2024 the DIII men's golf championship and men's and women's soccer semifinals and championship. In 2025 woman's DII golf championship. In 2026 DII men's golf championship. I'm going to very busy watching some great live sporting events for awhile.

 

[Alydar]

The site of UConn's first title. Bueckers wasn't born until a year after the 2nd title in 2000.