Minneapolis To Host 2019 NCAA Final Four Tournament
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's a slam dunk for Minneapolis
The NCAA announced Friday that Minneapolis will host the 2019 NCAA Final Four tournament.
Eight states were competing to host.
The announcement was made at TCF Bank Stadium Friday night.
The new Vikings stadium isn't even built yet, but already it has the Super Bowl lined up for 2018 and now, the Final Four in 2019.
"This is a great opportunity to bring what is a premier sporting event in the world to our community," said David Mortenson, whose construction company is building the stadium."
Much of the hope in building the stadium was to host other big events like the NCAA Final Four, and to help bring more money and recognition to Minnesota.
Most of the students on the U of M campus Friday weren't even alive the first time Minnesota's Metrodome hosted the NCAA Final Four in 1992.
The same year the Super Bowl came to town.
"I think people think Minnesota is just small, cold state. And really, it's a lot of fun," student Matt Rachey said.
The Metrodome and Minnesota were back on the nation's radar in 2001, hosting the Final Four again.
"The Metrodome was really a much smaller footprint. And it really couldn't manage what these events had become in later years," Michelle Kelm-Helgen, of the Minnesota Sports Facilities, said.
Thirteen years, and a billion dollar stadium later, Kelm-Helgen says now is Minnesota's time.
"We really did design this stadium with the Final Four event in mind. We've got four equal and well-appointed locker rooms," Kelm-Helgen said.
But she says it's not just bragging rights the state would get, but also a big pay day.
Other recent states to host the Final Four have documented how much money the college tournament brought to town.
"We always say the range is probably somewhere between $70 and $200 million," Kelm-Helgen said.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges said she was thrilled that the city will host the tournament.
"Minneapolis will provide a world-class showcase for one of the greatest sporting events in America and world-class hospitality for the many thousands of guests that we will welcome," she said in a recent press release.
The NCAA Final Four has become such a bigger event, lasting four or five days. So, it should be even more of an opportunity for the state.
NCAA Final Four's History In Minnesota