March Madness, Other NCAA Tournaments Returning To Pittsburgh In Coming Years
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - March Madness is coming back to Pittsburgh, in addition to several other NCAA events over the next few years.
The NCAA is planning to use PPG Paints Arena for the first and second-round games of the Men's Basketball tournament in 2024.
That's in addition to the previously announced tournament games in 2022.
In a press release, SportsPITTSBURGH Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins said, "We are again grateful to the NCAA for their continued confidence in Pittsburgh to host preliminary and championship events. We have received a lot of positive feedback from the NCAA about the championships we have hosted from 2018 to the present and about how we have provided their student-athletes with life-long memories. And, it is important to note that we were awarded these events yesterday when we still have three more championship events to host from the 2017 bid cycle, including the 2021 Frozen Four at PPG Paints Arena, which will be hosted by Robert Morris University.
"As we have said many times, this announcement is not about any one university, sports venue or organization. It's about Pittsburgh! The Pittsburgh Local Organizing Committee - which included 12 universities and sports facilities - deserves much of the credit for our success. We eagerly look forward to crowning new NCAA champions over the next six years."
Along with March Madness, PPG Paints Arena will also host college hockey's Frozen Four in spring 2021.
However, the NCAA isn't just planning to use PPG Paints Arena here in Pittsburgh.
Over the next few years, local venues will also host the division two and division three championships for volleyball and basketball.
Also, the city is hosting the NCAA regionals in women's gymnastics and bowling.
Here is the complete list of events:
Basketball
2024 Division I Men's Basketball First & Second Rounds
Duquesne University & PPG Paints Arena
2025 Division II Women's Basketball Championship Elite Eight
Clarion University & UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
2026 Division II Basketball Festival (Men's & Women's Championships)
Clarion University & UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
Gymnastics
2023 National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Regionals
University of Pittsburgh & Petersen Events Center
Volleyball
2022 Division III Women's Volleyball Championship
Saint Vincent College & UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
2023 Division II Women's Volleyball Championship
Clarion University & UPMC Events Center
Bowling
National Collegiate Women's Bowling Regionals – 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
Duquesne University & AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes