• Loading stock data...
Thursday, December 12, 2024
The 2024 Best Employers in Sports Award winners have been announced! See the full list of winners

NCAA to Relocate Men’s March Madness to Single Location

  • The NCAA is looking into moving matchups originally scheduled in 13 states to Indiana.
  • 2020 March Madness was among the earliest events canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ncaa-basketball-to-start-nov-25
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The NCAA is relocating 13 sites around the country scheduled to host preliminary rounds of the 2021 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament to a single geographic area due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it announced on Nov. 16. 

The governing body is in “preliminary talks” with Indiana and the city of Indianapolis to host the 68-team March Madness tournament during dates in March and April. Indianapolis was already set to host the Final Four from April 3-5. 

Early-round matchups were previously set to take place in Idaho, Texas, Michigan, Rhode Island, Kentucky, North Carolina, California, Kansas, Colorado, Minnesota, New York and Tennessee. 

The new plan is intended to limit travel and provide a safe and controlled environment for practice and game venues, medical resources, and lodging for teams and officials. 

“My committee colleagues and I did not come lightly to the difficult decision to relocate the preliminary rounds of the 2021 tournament, as we understand the disappointment 13 communities will feel to miss out on being part of March Madness next year,” Division I Men’s Basketball Committee chair and University of Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement. “The committee and staff deeply appreciate the efforts of all the host institutions and conferences, and we look forward to bringing the tournament back to the impacted sites in future years.”

The 2020 Division I NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments were among the first major sports event casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic when they were canceled on March 12, along with all other remaining winter and spring sports championships. Many men’s college basketball seasons came to a premature end during the conference tournament stage.

Teams were allowed to begin preseason practices for the 2020-21 season on Oct. 14, with the season expected to officially begin on Nov. 25 — pushed back from Nov. 10. No exhibition or scrimmages will be played this season, and the maximum number of contests per team has been reduced by four.

To meet sports sponsorship requirements and be considered for an NCAA championship selection this season, teams only have to play 13 games, half of the previous requirement.

“We have learned so much from monitoring other successful sporting events in the last several months, and it became clear it’s not feasible to manage this complex championship in so many different states with the challenges presented by the pandemic,” NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said. “However, we are developing a solid plan to present a safe, responsible and fantastic March Madness tournament unlike any other we’ve experienced.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Notre Dame

College Football Playoff on Campuses Sends Ticket, Travel Prices Soaring

Postseason games are coming to South Bend, State College, Austin, and Columbus.

BYU Secures No. 1 2026 Hoops Recruit With $7 Million NIL Deal

Dybantsa chose BYU over UNC, Kansas, and Alabama.

Transfer Portal Chaos: Record Moves, Star QBs, and NIL Deals Reshape CFB

There has been unprecedented portal activity this year.
Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) talks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case want more than just revenue-sharing.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.

Bill Belichick to Take College Plunge at North Carolina

UNC made the official announcement late Wednesday.
December 9, 2024

College Football Playoff Teams Paid $27M for Non-Conference Schedules

Texas led the way with three games that cost $4.9 million.
December 11, 2024

Mountain West Adds UC Davis, Wants Northern Illinois

The Aggies’ football team will stay in the FCS.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 9, 2024

CFP Era Redefines Bowl Season: Tradition Meets Transformation

The 12-team College Football Playoff is changing Bowl Season.
December 8, 2024

ESPN, ABC To Simulcast First Non-NBC Notre Dame Home Game Since 1990

The Fighting Irish will play the first game of the College Football Playoff.
December 8, 2024

Big Ten Tops SEC With Four College Football Playoff Bids

The SEC ended up with three CFP teams after Alabama was left out.
December 8, 2024

TNT Will Broadcast Clemson-Texas, SMU–Penn St. CFP Games

The network will broadcast Clemson at Texas and SMU at Penn State.