ORLANDO – The NCAA today announced that UCF will co-host multiple NCAA Championships in 2027 and 2028.
The championship events include the 2027 Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Singles and Doubles Championships, 2027 Divisions I, II, and III Women’s Rowing Championships, 2028 Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, 2028 Division I Men's and Women's Tennis Championships and the 2028 Divisions I, II, and III Women's Rowing Championships.
The Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, also known as March Madness, will return to Kia Center in 2028, co-hosted by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. Orlando most recently hosted First-and-Second Round games in 2023, 2017 and 2014, and 2004. Tennis will be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando while rowing will take place in Sarasota at Nathan Benderson Park.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see the NCAA March Madness, tennis and rowing championships coming to our region! This is a testament to our community’s passion for sports and our commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans from all over the world,” said UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics, Terry Mohajir. “Hosting such prestigious events not only highlights Orlando as a premier sports destination, but also strengthens our collective efforts to further enhance our college athletics brand!”
“On behalf of our Chairman, Sharon Line Clary, our Board of Directors and our partners at UCF, Rollins College, the City of Orlando, Orlando Venues, Orange County, Visit Orlando, Discover Lake County, Mission Resort + Club and the Florida Sports Foundation, we want to thank the NCAA for awarding these championships to our region,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “The NCAA knows our community will come together to provide an exceptionally positive experience for the student-athletes that participate, as well as their families, alumni and fans who travel to watch them compete.”
“As the nation’s premier sports destination, we're looking forward to welcoming student-athletes and fans from around the country to downtown Orlando for NCAA March Madness,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We can't wait to continue to showcase our vibrant community on the national stage and attract even more visitors to our region.”
More than 1,000 bids were submitted by schools, sports commissions, municipalities and other organizations, according to data provided to Sports Business Journal by the NCAA. The bidders came from 47 states and D.C. This two-year cycle of bidding was adjusted from what had been a four-year window, when more than 450 preliminary and final host sites were awarded for the 2022-23 through 2025-26 academic years.
NCAA championship events attract spectators and families throughout the state of Florida and from across the United States, driving significant impact to hotels, restaurants, and attractions in the Greater Orlando community. Until COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the NCAA’s spring 2020 championships, Greater Orlando Sports had hosted at least one NCAA national championship or regional championship every year since 1996.
Future NCAA Events co-hosted by UCF:
TENNIS
2027 Division I Singles & Doubles Finals
Orlando, FL
USTA National Campus
Hosts: UCF and United States Tennis Association
2028 Division I Team Finals
Orlando, FL
USTA National Campus
Hosts: UCF and United States Tennis Association
MEN’S BASKETBALL
2028 Division I First & Second Rounds
Orlando, FL
Kia Center
Hosts: UCF and Greater Orlando Sports Commission
ROWING
2027 & 2028 Divisions I, II, III Finals
Sarasota, FL
Nathan Benderson Park
Host: UCF and Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy Inc.