College sports schedules and tournaments are planned years in advance.  On November 22, 2022 the NCAA announced that the 2028 Men’s Basketball Final Four tournament will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the home of the Raiders – Allegiant Stadium.  This will mark the first time that the football stadium will host the basketball championship.

The $2 billion 65,000 seat stadium opened in 2020 and is located next the famous Las Vegas Strip.

The announcement is the latest in a list of marquee events to be held either at Allegiant Stadium or Loas Vegas itself with the stadium hosting the 2022 NFL Draft and the annual Pro Bowl game.  Next year Las Vegas will host a Formula One street course race and in 2024, Allegiant Stadium will be the home of the Super Bowl.

President of the Las Vegas Raiders Sandra Douglas Morgan spoke on the announcement saying, “the Raiders are thrilled to welcome the NCAA and college basketball fans from around the world to Las Vegas and our home at Allegiant Stadium.  Our facility is state-of-the-art, ideal venue for world-class sporting events.”

UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper added, “we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of hosting the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.  Our city has been a hub for basketball on all levels for many years and now to welcome one of the premier events in all of sports is a culmination of how Las Vegas has truly become the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World.  We look forward to working closely with the LVCVA and the NCAA to put on an amazing event like our city is known for.”

In the past, Las Vegas has been the host of numerous sporting events in the past but this marks the first time a collegiate basketball tournament will be held in the football stadium.

CEO and President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Steve Hill noted, “the Final Four is one of the marquee events in sports and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be the host in 2028.  The excitement of Final Four basketball combined with the energy of Las Vegas will create an unforgettable experience for teams and fans alike. We can’t wait to welcome the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship to the Greatest Arena on Earth.”