Final Four Coming To Atlanta
Exciting news, basketball fans—Atlanta is officially hosting the 2031 NCAA Men’s Division I Final Four at Mercedes-Benz Stadium! This marks the sixth time Atlanta has been awarded the prestigious event, and after the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is eager to make this one unforgettable.
For those who are not dedicated to the court, the "Final Four" refers to the last four teams remaining in the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, which are held annually in the spring. These teams compete in the semifinals, and the winners advance to the championship game to compete for the national title. March Madness narrows down teams through several rounds until only four teams remain, aka The Final Four.
The event is typically held in a large stadium and is known for its intense competition, high energy, and memorable moments, like the iconic "One Shining Moment" video montage that plays after the championship game, celebrating the tournament's best plays and emotional highlights.
Atlanta Sports Council’s Championship Hosting Division worked hard to secure this win. Leadership from the Council met with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee in Park City, Utah, to complete the final phase of the bid process, with a theme of “finishing what we started” following the cancellation in 2020.
“We are thrilled with the NCAA’s decision to award Atlanta the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four for a sixth time,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council. “We were eager to host a future Final Four after the heartbreak of 2020, and we are grateful to the NCAA for allowing us another opportunity to showcase this great city to basketball fans in 2031.”
The Atlanta Sports Council led the bid alongside key partners like the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Georgia Tech Athletics, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and more. Together, they made a compelling case for Atlanta’s readiness to host once again. Atlanta has quite the history with the NCAA Final Four, hosting the Men’s event in 1977, 2002, 2007, and 2013, as well as the Women’s Final Four in 1993 and 2003. Looking ahead, the city will also be hosting the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, the 2025 NCAA Men’s Southeast Regional, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Talk about a sports powerhouse!
“From our reliable infrastructure network to our world-famous hospitality, Georgia has consistently set itself apart as a world-class host and sports destination for large-scale events like the NCAA Men’s Final Four,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We look forward to welcoming players and fans taking part in this prestigious event to Atlanta for a fifth time as they join a long and storied history of sports in the Peach State.”
Mayor Andre Dickens echoed that excitement: “Time and again, Atlanta has proved itself as the best city in America to host global sporting events, and we thank the NCAA for selecting us to host this incredible event. The eyes of the sporting world will be on Atlanta, and we know that we will be up to the task once again as a champion is crowned and One Shining Moment is played in 2031.”
William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, added, “Atlanta’s bid to host another NCAA Men’s Final Four was exceptional, and we look forward to picking up where we left off in 2020. This is an exciting win for our city, and we can’t wait to welcome fans from around the country to Atlanta in 2031.”
The team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is equally enthusiastic:
“Our goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is to host the world’s greatest sporting events, and that is exactly what we expect with the NCAA Men’s Final Four,” said Tim Zulawski, president of AMB Sports & Entertainment. “We are extremely grateful to host the NCAA’s marquee event and are looking forward to seeing the nets cut down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in April 2031.”
J Batt, director of athletics at Georgia Tech, summed it up nicely: “We’re thrilled that the NCAA Division I Men’s Final Four will return to Atlanta in 2031. Hosting the Final Four puts our Institute, our athletic department, and our great city and state on the worldwide stage, and we couldn’t be more excited to host basketball’s best in 2031.”
So get ready, because Atlanta is set to shine bright in 2031 as basketball fans from across the country descend on the city for another thrilling NCAA Final Four!
SOURCE: Coliseum Online, Metro Atlanta CEO
