Phoenix Bids for 2032-2036 Women's Final Four After Men's Tournament Exclusion
The NCAA has selected finalist cities for the next five years of Final Four events, placing Phoenix in contention for the women's tournament but leaving it out of the men's rotation.
By Lucas Navarro ·
Phoenix will compete to host the women's NCAA Final Four between 2032 and 2036, while the men's tournament moves to other markets for the same period. The National Collegiate Athletic Association released a list of finalist cities on Tuesday, marking the next step in a multi-year selection process.
Seven cities are currently vying to host the men's championship game during this five-year cycle. Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, and New Orleans made the final cut. The committee noted that the high number of interested cities made the selection process difficult.
The women's tournament features a different group of contenders. Phoenix is one of seven finalist cities, joining Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and San Antonio. This represents a return to the bidding process for the Valley, which successfully hosted the women's Final Four for the first time in 2026.
Phoenix had previously hosted the men's Final Four in 2017 and 2024. Its absence from the current men's finalist list has sparked local discussion regarding the region's standing in national sports hosting. The city remains a frequent venue for major professional events, having hosted the Super Bowl four times since 1996.
Phoenix also secured the rights to host the NBA All-Star Game in February 2027 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. The city's track record includes three Super Bowls at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, held in 2008, 2015, and 2023. These events demonstrate the infrastructure already in place for large-scale gatherings.
Martin Newton, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics at Samford University and chair of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee, commented on the competitive nature of the bids. He stated that the committee is confident the selected cities will provide venues and hotels that meet the high standards expected by participating teams.
Liz Darger, chair of the Division I Women's Basketball Committee, expressed gratitude for the strong interest in the women's tournament. She noted that the finalist cities have shown the necessary infrastructure and community support to support the event's growth. The committee will now enter a deeper evaluation phase to assess each city's specific capabilities.
Local officials remain optimistic despite the growing competition from nearby cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Mayor Kate Gallego stated at a Wednesday press conference that the region is highly competitive for large-scale events. She referred to the area as "Championship Valley" due to its frequent hosting of major sporting events.
Las Vegas has rapidly expanded its sports portfolio, hosting its first Super Bowl in 2024 and another in 2029. The city is home to the NHL's Golden Knights, the NFL's Raiders, and the WNBA's Aces, with the MLB's Athletics expected to move there by 2028. The NBA is also considering Las Vegas as a leading candidate for expansion.
Kyle Hedstrom, chief operating officer of the Arizona Sports and Events Alliance, acknowledged the increased number of viable host cities. He noted that the competition for the men's Final Four has grown from ten to approximately 15 cities. Hedstrom believes the Valley will remain a strong contender but emphasized the need for more aggressive pursuit of major events.
