Wichita joins Dayton as 2027 NCAA Tournament opening-round site
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 9, 2026, 7:19 PM
Last updated Jul 9, 2026
Wichita, Kansas, has been selected to serve as a host for six opening-round games of the 2027 NCAA men's basketball tournament alongside Dayton. This decision comes after Wichita was chosen over several finalists, including Albuquerque and Des Moines, due to its central location and strong fan engagement. The games will take place at InTrust Bank Arena, which can accommodate over 15,000 spectators. The chosen sites aim to manage new scheduling dynamics introduced by the expanded 76-team tournament format, which also includes changing team travel arrangements. The committee looks to replicate Dayton's success with fan attendance and engagement for the 2027 and 2028 tournaments.
- •Wichita to host six opening-round games in 2027 and 2028
- •Games to be held at InTrust Bank Arena
- •Wichita selected over cities like Albuquerque and Des Moines
- •Focus is on engaging local fan base and accommodating travel
- •776-team tournament format introduces new scheduling dynamics
- 9:32 PMYahoo Sports — NCAA announces Wichita to join Dayton as hosts for opening-round men's basketball tournament games in 2027, 2028
- 8:05 PMYahoo Sports — Wichita joins Dayton has host cities for 2027-28 opening-round games in 76-team NCAA Tournament
- 7:19 PMCBS Sports — Wichita selected to join Dayton as opening-round site of 2027 NCAA men's NCAA Tournament
"The opening round of the expanded men's NCAA Tournament will be split between Dayton, Ohio, where those early games traditionally have been played, and Wichita, Kansas, for at least the next two years. The NCAA said Thursday that both cities would host six games apiece in the enlarged 76-team field. “Like Dayton, Wichita is a basketball-crazed community that we expect will embrace the reimagined start of the tournament," Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill, the chairman of the NCAA's Division I men's basketball committee, said in a statement.
"Wichita was chosen over seven other cities pursuing the opportunity to host six NCAA tournament opening-round games.
"Wichita beat out a host of finalists to host six NCAA Tournament opening-round games in 2027 and 2028.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 9:32 PMNCAA announces Wichita to join Dayton as hosts for opening-round men's basketball tournament games in 2027, 2028
Wichita was chosen over seven other cities pursuing the opportunity to host six NCAA tournament opening-round games.
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 8:05 PMWichita joins Dayton has host cities for 2027-28 opening-round games in 76-team NCAA Tournament
The opening round of the expanded men's NCAA Tournament will be split between Dayton, Ohio, where those early games traditionally have been played, and Wichita, Kansas, for at least the next two years. The NCAA said Thursday that both cities would host six games apiece in the enlarged 76-team field. “Like Dayton, Wichita is a basketball-crazed community that we expect will embrace the reimagined start of the tournament," Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill, the chairman of the NCAA's Division I men's basketball committee, said in a statement.
- CBS SportsJul 9, 2026, 7:19 PMWichita selected to join Dayton as opening-round site of 2027 NCAA men's NCAA Tournament
Wichita beat out a host of finalists to host six NCAA Tournament opening-round games in 2027 and 2028.
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