Where NCAA tournaments first round could make permanent home in West
The Seattle Times • • general
Key Points:
- March Madness will expand to 76 teams next season, replacing the First Four with a 12-game opening round held over two days at two locations: Dayton, Ohio, and a yet-to-be-determined western city.
- The NCAA aims to balance the eastern site (Dayton) with a western counterpart, considering cities like Las Vegas, Kansas City, Tucson, Spokane, Albuquerque, and others based on factors like arena availability, hotel capacity, and travel logistics.
- Las Vegas is a leading candidate due to its extensive facilities, multiple arenas, abundant hotels, and nonstop flights, but concerns about its far-west location and NCAA’s definition of "western" could impact the decision.
- Kansas City emerges as a strong dark horse option, offering walkability, multiple suitable arenas, good flight connections, and flexibility for the selection committee to minimize travel burdens for teams advancing to the round of 64.
- The NCAA plans to finalize and announce the expansion and the second host city by May, after approval by relevant councils and committees.
