Title
Resolution to Participate In and Support Bid to Host 2023-2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four Tournament (Resolution 21589)
Description
Request to authorize a resolution to express support for, and authorize the City's participation in, the region's bid to host the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Final Four Tournament in one of the years from 2023 to 2026.
Report
Summary
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has requested a declaration of support from the City of Phoenix in the 2023-2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four bid. This resolution will express the City's support for the bid through the commitment of general government services (including: citywide operations liaison; ambush marketing protections; permitting assistance; public safety support/emergency preparedness; aviation arrival/departure cooperation; and provision of Fan Fest, Music Festival, Salute Presentation, Youth Dribble and NABC Convention venues).
The national semifinal and championship games would be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Major fan-related events, lodging and meeting activities associated with the tournament would be held in Phoenix. The tournament is held annually, and this bid is to hold the tournament in one of the years spanning 2023 to 2026.
In conjunction with the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee and Arizona State University (Host Institution), Phoenix successfully hosted Final Four ancillary and community events in 2017. The 2017 Phoenix Final Four was the first to be held in the West in 22 years and was the second highest attended in Final Four history. Fan Fest activities at the Phoenix Convention Center attracted more than 50,000 people; 135,000 attended the March Madness Music Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park; and 6,000 participated in the Final Four Dribble at Heritage & Science Park. The Final Four games were watched by nearly 23 million viewers in 176 countries, with 2,200 media members in town to cover the games and related events.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Phoenix Convention Center Department.