The NCAA® First Four®
The Dayton region is recognized as the Epicenter of College Basketball. Fans from around the world know that THE ROAD STARTS HERE™, in Dayton, Ohio! Dayton looks forward to welcoming the NCAA® First Four® back to the University of Dayton Arena in 2024 and hosting it through 2026!
Tournament Location: University of Dayton Arena
Dayton truly is basketball mecca! In 2024, The University of Dayton Arena will host the NCAA® First Four® Tournament (March 19 & 20), as well as the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls State Championships and Boys State Championships. UD Arena will play host to an astonishing 42 basketball games from March 1-24!
Read more about all the tournament games at our blog!
> Get NCAA® First Four® Tickets Here
> Get OHSAA High School State Championship Tickets Here
UD Arena is widely considered one of the nation's premier college basketball facilities. In fact, UD Arena has hosted more NCAA® tournaments than any other facility in the nation! Since it opened on Dec. 6, 1969, more than 10 million fans have visited the arena. The University completed a $75 million transformation of UD Arena in time for the 50th season of basketball at the Arena in 2019.
The University of Dayton Arena is located at 1801 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd. in Dayton, exit #51 off I-75. UD Arena is visible from I-75.
The Big Hoopla
In conjunction with the First Four®, the Dayton community is invited to take part in The Big Hoopla! Since 2012, The Big Hoopla has showcased Dayton’s collaborative spirit, basketball unity and affinity for our military heroes serving locally and around the world. Visit The Big Hoopla's website for more about their community events: the 4 Miler and the STEM Challenge, both taking place on March 17, 2024. The NCAA® Basketball Tournament presents a tremendous opportunity to come together as a community, and as a country, to celebrate the great things that can be accomplished with teamwork, dedication, and a shared goal.
Interested in volunteering to help at the Hoopla STEM Challenge on March 17? Sign up here!