hosting the big dance
San Antonio scores coveted host spot for NCAA Final Four tournament
If the recent NCAA Men's Final Four tournament proved anything, it’s that San Antonio is the perfect place for the big game. Well aware of that fact, the masterminds at the NCAA have announced that San Antonio will once again host the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2025.
San Antonio previously hosted the event in 1998, 2004, 2008, and again last spring.
“This is great news and I want to thank the NCAA for selecting San Antonio as a site for the Men’s Final Four and confirming that San Antonio is one of the best cities in the nation — if not the best city — for hosting a Final Four," said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg in a release. "Once again, all that makes San Antonio special will be showcased across the country and around the world."
San Antonio joins Houston, Phoenix, and Indianapolis among the sites selected in the July 16 announcement. Those cities will host the Big Dance in 2023, 2024, and 2026, respectively.
"We are thrilled for the cities of Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio and Indianapolis," said Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball, in the announcement. "All those cities have hosted the event with overwhelming success in recent years, and yet all of them approached the bid process with an unassuming energy. We look forward to bringing the NCAA’s marquee championship back to those locations.”
Meanwhile in Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner made a big push for that city during a recent visit to the NCAA leadership in Boston. Safe to say that Turner is pleased with the news.
“Returning the Final Four to Houston in 2023 will be a slam dunk. I’m overjoyed that the NCAA recognized this fact,’’ Turner said in a statement. “From our restaurants, to our convention center, hotels, and retail spaces, Houston is poised to provide a total fan experience. The 2016 Final Four in Houston was a huge success.’’
