The battle to host the NCAA Final Four is nearly as intense as the tournament itself, with cities bidding millions for the honor. But what exactly does it take for a city to land college basketball’s biggest weekend?

With March Madness in full swing, we have entered the home stretch of the NCAA Tournament. Only four teams remain in contention for the National Championship, with Illinois, UConn, Arizona, and Michigan set to take the floor in the Final Four matchups.

As we get closer to crowning the National Champion for the 2025-26 season, Here’s where the championship will be decided this year.

Where Is the March Madness Final Four Held in 2026?

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, will host the March Madness NCAA Tournament’s Final Four.

How Does the NCAA Select the Final Four Host Cities?

Cities interested in hosting the NCAA Final Four must submit their bids. The bid will include a questionnaire, and the cities must submit details about the facility, stadium capacity, a safety and security plan, and a liability insurance certificate.

The NCAA’s evaluation process is rigorous, with bids needing to meet minimums like a 60,000-seat arena and the availability of at least 10,000 hotel rooms to support the massive influx of fans.

Other factors, such as hosting frequency, infrastructure development, and even a fan’s potential cost of attending the Final Four games in that city, are considered before selecting the host city.

Which Cities Have Hosted the Final Four in Recent Years?

The last few years’ host cities are:

2022: New Orleans, Louisiana

2023: Houston, Texas

2024: Glendale (Phoenix), Arizona

2025: San Antonio, Texas

2026: Indianapolis, Indiana

Which Cities Will Host Future Final Fours?

The list of confirmed hosts for the future March Madness Final Fours is:

2027: Detroit, Michigan

2028: Las Vegas, Nevada

2029: Indianapolis, Indiana

2030: North Texas, Texas

2031: Atlanta, Georgia

What Cities Have Hosted the Final Four the Most?

Kansas City has hosted the NCAA Final Four the most, with 10 appearances. Kansas City’s frequent selection also boils down to the fact that it was the home of the NCAA Headquarters early on. Kansas City proved to be the hub of the NCAA Tournaments. But other cities have since caught up with their infrastructure and stadiums.

While Kansas City leads all municipalities with 10 Final Fours hosted, this year’s host, Indianapolis, is a frequent favorite, now tied with New York City at seven. Other popular destinations include Louisville and New Orleans, which have each hosted six times.

Why Are Stadiums Like Lucas Oil Stadium Used for the Final Four?

The Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis can seat up to 70,000 people, and is already a primary venue for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL. The venue boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exclusive luxury suites, hospitality experiences, and amenities like parking.

Indiana is quickly becoming one of the most influential cities in the sport of basketball. The Indiana Pacers’ and the Indiana Fever’s recent success have proved the love for basketball. And the rise of stars like Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Haliburton has garnered a lot of basketball fans eager to watch top-quality hoops.

The Final Four games also provide a quality contrast this time around. While on one hand, UConn and Illinois have undertaken a journey where they overcame the odds to reach the Final Four, Arizona and Michigan have lived up to the lofty expectations to survive their respective brackets.

Only one team will take home the National Championship, and Indianapolis will witness the best college basketball players vie for the crown this year in what is sure to be a spectacle.