The Road to Victory: Traversing the Men’s 2024 March Madness Venues

Every team enters March with one thing on their minds: cutting down the nets after winning an NCAA National Championship. March Madness is one of the most iconic sports events each year and the road that leads to the Final Four is a long and winding one. The NCAA Men’s basketball tournament showcases the best teams each season and also highlights some top-notch venues across the United States. Let’s take a look at the 2024 March Madness locations and when March Madness starts.

March Madness Schedule and Dates

This year’s tournament will begin midway through March. Selection Sunday is March 17, followed by the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. The tournament will conclude on the second Monday in April in Glendale, Arizona.

First Four – March 19 and 20

The First Four games are played at UD Arena in Dayton. The First Four traditionally features two games between 16-seeds and two between 11-seeds. The winners advance into a regional later in the week.

University of Dayton Arena

The University of Dayton Arena has hosted more NCAA Tournament games than any other arena. It has been the home of the NCAA’s first games almost every year since 2001. UD Arena underwent mass renovations in 2020 and 2021 to accommodate events for years to come.

Field of 64: Rounds 1 & 2 – March 21 – 24

There are 32 games in the first round and 16 in the second round, taking place at eight venues across the country. The eight arenas are PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Spectrum Center in Charlotte, CHI Health Center in Omaha, Delta Center in Salt Lake City,  Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, FedExForum in Memphis, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane.

PPG Paints Arena

PPG Paints Arena is the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the fifth time the arena will host the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. It is a renowned hockey arena and concert venue close to Duquesne University’s campus.

Barclays Center

Barclays Center is a sports and entertainment venue in Brooklyn, New York. It is the home of the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty. Barclays Center has been the host of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament since 2013 and will host NCAA tournament games for the second time this year.

Delta Center

Right in the heart of Salt Lake City lies the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz. The Delta Center hosts monthly entertainment events, including comedy shows, concerts, children’s entertainment, and more. There will be just over 18,000 seats available for first and second-round games this March.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Having just hosted the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, Gainbridge Fieldhouse is set to host NCAA tournament games for the third time. It is home to the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever and has a history of hosting college basketball games, having hosted numerous men’s and women’s Big Ten Tournaments and the 2011 NCAA Women’s Final Four.

FedExForum

The home of the Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis basketball team, FedExForum holds more than 18,000 for basketball games and will host the NCAA Men’s tournament for the fourth time this year. It has also hosted a regional final in the 2010 NCAA Women’s tournament.

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

This year will mark the sixth time Spokane Arena has hosted the NCAA Men’s tournament. It is the home of the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League.

Elite 8: East Regional – March 28, 30

Both the Sweet Sixth and Elite 8 matchups in the East Regional will take place at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

TD Garden

The home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, TD Garden is one of the most well-known arenas in the country. TD Garden is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue that has hosted the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments and the NCAA Frozen Four.

Elite 8: West Regional – March 28, 30

The West Regional semifinals and final will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Crypto.com Arena

Crypto.com Arena, previously known as STAPLES Center, is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles Kings. It has been a premiere sports and entertainment venue for multiple decades located within L.A. Live.

Elite 8: South Regional – March 29, 31

The South Regional third and fourth rounds will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

American Airlines Center

Home of the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars, American Airlines Center is found in Dallas’ Victory Park neighborhood. This year will be the third time the 19,000-seat arena has hosted March Madness.

Elite Eight: Midwest Regional – March 29, 31

The Midwest Regional semifinals and final will take place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Little Caesars Arena

Little Caesars Arena is home to the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons. It is a popular entertainment venue in Detroit and hosts numerous concerts and shows each year.

Final Four & Championship – April 6 and 8

The Final Four and championship games will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

State Farm Stadium

This will be the second time that the NCAA Men’s Final Four and title game will take place at State Farm Stadium. Home of the Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium has hosted numerous notable events, such as Wrestlemania, college football national championship games, and three Super Bowls.