Dayton To Host NCAA Tournament First Four Alongside Wichita
Wichita Secures Opening Round Hosting Rights
The NCAA announced July 9 that, with the tournament field expanding from 68 to 76 teams, the opening round for the 2027 and 2028 tournaments will be awarded to Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita will join Dayton in staging three games each day on the Tuesday and Wednesday after Selection Sunday.
Commissioner Keith Gill, who chairs the Division I men’s basketball committee, highlighted Wichita’s “basketball‑crazed community” as a partner that will help bring teams from across the country to the early stage of March Madness.
Dayton Maintains First Four Home
Since 2001, the University of Dayton Arena has hosted the First Four without interruption, except for the COVID‑19‑forced shift to Indiana and Purdue in 2021.
Dayton will keep its three‑game daily schedule, matching the format that Wichita will adopt in the coming years.
The 2026 First Four featured the Miami RedHawks against the SMU Mustangs, marking the first appearance of a Mid‑American Conference team in the play‑in round.
Impact of Expanded Tournament Field
Adding eight more teams creates two extra opening‑round matchups each year, requiring two host cities to manage the increased workload.
Both Wichita and Dayton are positioned to handle the additional contests, each providing three games on consecutive days after Selection Sunday.
The expanded field offers greater visibility for smaller conferences, as demonstrated by Miami’s debut in 2026.
Historical Perspective on First Four
When the tournament introduced the play‑in games in 2001, Dayton embraced the role and has not missed a year since.
The 2021 deviation remains the sole exception, a direct result of the pandemic’s disruption.
The partnership between Dayton and Wichita sets a new benchmark for early‑tournament hospitality in the Heartland.
1 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Peter Suder (5) attempts to drive the ball in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
1 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Peter Suder (5) attempts to drive the ball in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
2 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks forward Almar Atlason (11) dunks the ball in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
3 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Trey Perry (1) saves the ball from going out-of-bounds in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
4 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Trey Perry (1) falls on the sideline in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
5 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks guard Justin Kirby (6) and Southern Methodist University Mustangs forward Sam Walters (4) reach for a loose ball in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
6 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks wing Eian Elmer (0) jumps to shoot from three point range in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
7 / 7
Miami RedHawks vs. SMU Mustangs in First Four. See photos from Dayton
Miami (OH) RedHawks wing Brant Byers (22) hits layup in the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Four game between the Miami Redhawks and Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Oh.
(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)
University of Dayton Arena has hosted the NCAA Tournament First Four since 2001.
The combination of Dayton’s steady presence and Wichita’s new role ensures March Madness will begin in two contrasting Midwest hubs, offering fans and teams fresh experiences while preserving a cherished tradition that dates back to 2001.
Content Credit: This article was originally published on sports.yahoo.com.
Image Credit: Featured image and media assets sourced directly from the original publisher. View Original Image.
Leave a Reply