Phoenix is in the running to host the NCAA women’s Final Four between 2032 and 2036, securing a spot on the list of finalist cities after successfully staging the event in 2026, Cronkite News reported. But the city missed out on the selection for the men’s tournament over the same five-year cycle, sparking fresh questions about the region’s ability to lock down top-tier men’s basketball showcases against surging regional rivals.
NCAA Narrows Men and Women Final Four Host Cities
The NCAA released its list of prospective host locations for the men’s and women’s Final Four tournaments covering the 2032 through 2036 rotation. While Phoenix landed among the seven finalists for the women’s tournament alongside Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans and San Antonio, it was omitted entirely from the men’s consideration list.
The cities vying to host the men’s Final Four during that five-year cycle are Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans. Martin Newton, Samford vice president for intercollegiate athletics and chair of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for the upcoming season, noted that narrowing the field to seven candidates proved challenging given the record level of interest from prospective hosts.
On the women’s side, Liz Darger, senior associate athletics director at Brigham Young and chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, pointed out that the selected finalists demonstrated the necessary infrastructure, venues, and community support required to foster the championship’s ongoing growth.
Growing Competition from Las Vegas and Other Markets
The Valley’s absence from the men’s finalist roster highlights a broader squeeze in the major events market, where Phoenix faces intensifying competition from newer or heavily upgraded facilities in neighboring western cities. Las Vegas, which did not host a major professional sports franchise until the Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017, has rapidly expanded its footprint. The Oakland Raiders relocated to Allegiant Stadium in 2020, and the Athletics plan to start playing MLB games in a new Las Vegas stadium by 2028, complementing the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
Kyle Hedstrom, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Arizona Sports and Events Alliance, observed that the pool of competitive cities for major men’s basketball events has expanded from roughly 10 markets to 14 or 15. That shift means Arizona must step up its pursuit of mega-events rather than relying on past successes alone.
Upcoming Major Events Scheduled Across the Valley
Despite missing the men’s Final Four rotation, Phoenix maintains a busy schedule of upcoming high-profile sports competitions. The region previously hosted the men’s Final Four in 2017 and 2024, alongside four Super Bowls: the 1996 game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, and subsequent matchups at State Farm Stadium in Glendale in 2008, 2015, and 2023.
Looking ahead, the Valley is scheduled to host the NBA All-Star game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in February 2027. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed confidence in the city’s standing during a press conference at the Collier Center, pointing out that national observers frequently refer to the region as “Championship Valley” due to its track record of managing large-scale sporting spectacles.