Arizona in the running to host Final Four

Less than two years after Arizona hosted the NCAA Final Four for the first time, the state is already in the running to host again between 2024-26. NCAA officials were in the Valley just last month, scouting out the area. This comes on the heels of the announcement that the Super Bowl will return to Arizona in 2023.

Phoenix will face stiff competition for these bids from Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Detroit and Indianapolis. The tour of the city that took place in late May was a precursor to the official bid that Phoenix will present at a final presentation on July 11.

According to economic impact studies conducted by Arizona State University, the 2017 Final Four generated over $324 million for the Phoenix area. When these massive sporting events come to University of Phoenix Stadium, which has hosted both the Super Bowl and the Final Four in the last three years, the benefits are felt throughout the Valley. The economic impacts of increased national attention and tourism are a win for the state, not just Glendale and downtown Phoenix where the bulk of the events are hosted.

“Arizona’s success with mega events such as Pro Bowl, Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship, and the NCAA Final Four elevate our state as a destination, strengthening the business climate and attracting more visitors to the Valley and our great state,” said David Drennon, executive vice president of the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association.  

The Final Four brings more than just a weekend of basketball games, it is a week-long celebration and full events schedule that boosts businesses and hotels in a major way. Something for this year’s Final Four Phoenix plenary committee to consider is where to host the event series, which dominated the downtown area with its slate of concerts and fan-central activities last year.

“The value transcends the immediate economic results.  Visitors and business leaders are among the sports fans who came and experienced our quality of life, adding increased value to our state’s number-one service export of tourism. Those memories and experiences continue to drive visitation and corporate attraction. In addition, media coverage and worldwide viewership elevate Arizona for millions to see our breathtaking landscapes and get a glimpse of the extraordinary quality of life we enjoy in Arizona,” Drennon said.