Arizona's Final Four will have Super Bowl-level fan entertainment options
As Phoenix prepares to host the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, key leaders pointed out how the area isn't new to hosting major sporting events.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs joined a group of speakers, ranging from local organizing committee leaders to NCAA officials, that unveiled details surrounding the events leading up to the games at State Farm Stadium on April 6 and 8. This will be the second Final Four that Arizona has hosted, the first being in 2017.
“As you know Arizona is no stranger to hosting major sporting events, having been the home of Super Bowl 57, the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the World Baseball Classic just last year," Hobbs said. "And each time, we show off why Arizona does it best, and that’s what we’ll do again in April. Tourism is a big part of Arizona’s moving economy and the men’s Final Four will have a major impact on businesses across the state, especially in the lodging, hospitality, restaurant, and transportation sectors."
The leadup to the Final Four will turn downtown Phoenix into a hub of ancillary fan events, including a sports-themed fan fest at the Phoenix Convention Center and a free music festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. The fan fest will run from April 5-8, and the music festival will go from April 5-7. The performers have yet to be announced, but the acts in 2017 included Keith Urban, The Chainsmokers and Aerosmith.
"We know there's going to be a long cold winter and to be able to celebrate here in the spring and be able to immerse ourselves in the culture in this community, it's mind-blowing to us," said Charles McClelland, chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.
On the basketball side, there will be a free open practice for the participating Final Four teams at State Farm Stadium on the Friday before the semifinal games. Additionally, the court will hold the Reese’s NABC All-Star Game, featuring top senior student-athletes from around the country.
The NCAA, which requires an indoor, 70,000 minimum capacity venue for the Men's Final Four, has not had many options in the western region. Since Seattle in 1995, Greater Phoenix has been the only host west of Texas. Phoenix will once again play host for the Women's Final Four in 2026. The western landscape is changing, however, on the men's side as Los Angeles and Las Vegas now have viable stadium options for the NCAA; Las Vegas will host in 2028.
Bringing the games back to Phoenix will create opportunities that other host sites might not see based on time zones and weather.
"A lot of our championships are in the south or in the east, but now that we're in the Mountain Time Zone, it's going to be unique to be able to start early and finish early," McClelland said. "We think that's going to lead to additional spending in the community because they'll have additional time to visit Phoenix and all the wonderful restaurants and all that Phoenix has to offer."
In addition to being the second-most attended Final Four in NCAA history, the 2017 Final Four generated $324 million in economic impact. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga for its sixth championship in a Final Four that also included South Carolina and Oregon.
"I have no doubt that this time around, it will be just as successful, if not more," Hobbs said. “This event will also leave a positive legacy that will endure long after the games have been played.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's Final Four will have Super Bowl-level fan entertainment options
