Kansas City is among seven finalists being considered to host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four between 2032 and 2036.
The NCAA announced Tuesday that Kansas City, Kansas, advanced to the next stage of the selection process. Other finalists include Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans.
A final decision is expected in July 2027, after NCAA officials conduct site visits, review additional materials and meet with representatives from the finalist cities.
A key part of Kansas City’s bid is the Kansas City Chiefs’ planned domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas. The new stadium is expected to open in 2031 and would provide the type of venue required to host the men’s championship. NCAA requirements call for a domed stadium with at least 60,000 seats.
Because the stadium must be open and operating for at least two years before hosting the tournament, Kansas City would not be eligible to host in 2032. The city would be looking at a potential Final Four in 2033 or later if selected.
The Kansas City bid includes the Chiefs, the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Local organizers describe the effort as a regional opportunity to bring Kansas and Missouri together to host one of college basketball’s premier events.
Kansas City has hosted the men’s Final Four 10 times, although the most recent appearance was in 1988. If selected, the event would return to the region for the first time in decades.
The NCAA also named seven finalists to host the Women’s Final Four from 2032 through 2036: Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Phoenix and San Antonio.
Officials are also studying the possibility of holding the men’s and women’s Final Fours at the same location on the same weekend, potentially beginning in 2037.
