Denver is 1 of 7 cities in line to host Final Four from 2032 to 2036
The NCAA is considering Denver for the men's tournament semifinals, a move city officials tie to a planned Broncos stadium at Burnham Yard.
By Diego Mendoza ·
Denver is one of seven cities the NCAA is weighing to host the Division I men's basketball Final Four between 2032 and 2036. Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans are also in the running. The announcement came Tuesday.
Denver last staged the Final Four in 1990, when Larry Johnson and UNLV beat Christian Laettner and Duke 103-73 in the title game at McNichols Sports Arena. The city has also held first- and second-round games in 1999, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2023 and 2025, along with regionals in 1985, 1989 and 1996. The NCAA has staged the Final Four in football stadiums since 1997.
Denver Sports Commission executive director Matthew Payne called the shortlist welcome news in a release. "Events like this show the importance of a new Broncos stadium and their preferred Burnham Yards location," he said.
Mayor Mike Johnston said a new Broncos stadium with a retractable roof and more than 50,000 seats "will expand our eligibility for events like this and provide new and exciting opportunities for Denver." The Broncos have set a deadline to occupy a new stadium at Burnham Yard in time for the 2031 NFL season.
Source: The Denver Post · original report published
