Phoenix Left Out of Men’s Final Four Bids as Regional Rivals Expand

The Valley of the Sun has secured a spot in the rotation for one of the two major college basketball tournaments, but it has been left out of the running for the other. The NCAA announced on Tuesday the possible host cities for the men’s and women’s Final Four events from 2032 to 2036. Phoenix is among the seven finalists for the women’s championship. The city is not included in the list for the men’s tournament.

The men’s Final Four will rotate among Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, and New Orleans during the next five-year cycle. The women’s tournament will be held in Phoenix, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and San Antonio. Martin Newton, who will chair the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee next season, stated that narrowing the field to seven cities was a difficult process for the committee. He noted that the selected cities represent a mix of experienced hosts and newcomers with the necessary infrastructure.

Phoenix last hosted the men’s Final Four in 2017 and 2024. The city hosted the women’s event for the first time in 2026. Liz Darger, chair of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, said the finalists demonstrated the venues and hotel accommodations required to support the event. She added that the committee is evaluating how each city can support the continued growth of the women’s tournament.

The exclusion from the men’s bid list has raised questions about the Valley’s future as a hub for major sporting events. The region has hosted the Super Bowl four times. The first was in 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The subsequent three games took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale in 2008, 2015, and 2023. Phoenix will host the NBA All-Star game at Mortgage Matchup Center in February 2027.

Competitors in the region are investing heavily in new infrastructure. Los Angeles hosted the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in 2022 and will host it again in February 2027. Las Vegas held its first Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in 2024 and is scheduled to host another in 2029. The NBA is also considering expansion into Las Vegas and Seattle.

Las Vegas has expanded its professional sports footprint in recent years. The Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017. The Raiders moved to the city in 2020. The WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces relocated there in 2018. The Athletics are expected to begin playing in a new stadium in Las Vegas by 2028. With three major teams already present and a potential fourth on the way, the city is building a stronger sports identity beyond its tourism sector.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the city remains competitive for large-scale events. Speaking Wednesday at a press conference at the Collier Center, she noted that national observers have started calling the region Championship Valley. She said the future looks bright for the area despite the growing number of competing markets.

Kyle Hedstrom, executive vice president of the Arizona Sports and Events Alliance, said the number of cities competing for a men’s Final Four has grown from 10 to about 14 or 15. He stated that the city must be more aggressive in pursuing major events to maintain its status as a top destination.