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 2023 and hosting it through 2026!

Download the Free VISIT DAYTON App!

Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!

Tournament Location: University of Dayton Arena

Dayton truly is basketball mecca! In 2023, The University of Dayton Arena will host the NCAA^® First Four^® Tournament (March 14 & 15), as well as the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls State Championships (March 9-11) and Boys State Championships (March 17-19). UD Arena will play host to 39 games in 20 day!

You can read more about both the NCAA^® First Four^® and High School State Tournaments in this blog post.

UD Arena is widely considered one of the national 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.

NCAA First Four Basketball at UD Arena

The Big Hoopla

In conjunction with the First Four^®, the 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 Selection Sunday, March 12. 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.

Plan Your Stay!

After watching some of the most exciting college basketball games inside the University of Dayton Arena, you will find so much to explore in Dayton! Book your hotel stay now. And, while you're in Dayton for basketball action, don't forget to take in some of our incredible restaurants and world-renowned attractions!

Make the Most of March Madness!

Experience March Madness in Dayton

Best Places to Watch College Basketball

Calendar of Events

Download the "Visit Dayton" App!

March 14 & 15, 2023

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 2023 and hosting it through 2026!

Download the Free VISIT DAYTON App!

Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!

Tournament Location: University of Dayton Arena

You can read more about both the NCAA^® First Four^® and High School State Tournaments in this blog post.

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

Plan Your Stay!

Hotels

Restaurants

Attractions

Make the Most of March Madness!

DAYTON SPOTLIGHT

March 14 & 15, 2023

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 2023 and hosting it through 2026!

Download the Free VISIT DAYTON App!

Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!

Tournament Location: University of Dayton Arena

You can read more about both the NCAA® First Four® and High School State Tournaments in this blog post.

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

Plan Your Stay!

Hotels

Restaurants

Attractions

Make the Most of March Madness!

DAYTON SPOTLIGHT

The NCAA® First Four®

You can read more about both the NCAA^® First Four^® and High School State Tournaments in this blog post.