DAYTON/WICHITA — The NCAA has announced the second site for the Opening Round of the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Wichita, Kansas, will join Dayton as the two host cities for the Opening Round of the 2027 and 2028 tournaments, according to an NCAA spokesperson.
This comes after the NCAA decided to expand the tournament field from 68 to 76 teams, as previously reported.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NCAA officially approves expansion of March Madness to 76 teams
TRENDING STORIES:
- Police ask for help after social media trend causes property damage in Vandalia
- Ohio man, 7 others federally charged in alleged plot to attack White House UFC event
- Girlfriend speaks out after deadly shooting in Darke County apartment
Dayton has served as the host city to start the tournament since 2001.
Both cities will host three games on Tuesday and Wednesday after Selection Sunday.
“Like Dayton, Wichita is a basketball-crazed community that we expect will embrace the reimagined start of the tournament,” said Keith Gill, Sun Belt Conference Commissioner and chair of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. “Having a city in Middle America will be advantageous for getting teams from various points around the country, many of which won’t be known until Selection Sunday, to the Opening Round and subsequently first-round sites.”
UD Arena has hosted 145 tournament games, the most of any venue in tournament history.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
