NCAA looking to move Final Four, other March Madness games to different venues
By SDS Staff
Published:
The 2020 Final Four was set to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That is no longer the plan.
The NCAA announced Wednesday that all March Madness will be held without fans, restricting attendance to only essential staff and limited family due to coronavirus concerns. Without fans, there’s no need for the game to be held in a massive venue. NCAA President Mark Emmert shared that the NCAA is looking to move the Final Four to a smaller venue. Emmert also said that regional sites could also be moved to smaller venues. For now, the set first-round host sites will remain the same.
Before the NCAA made its announcement, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that a statewide order for no mass gatherings would result in the First Four in Dayton and early-round games in Cleveland would be held without fans in attendance. The NCAA has also announced that the NIT will be held without fans in attendance. The Ivy League has shut down all spring sports seasons. As of right now, the SEC men’s basketball tournament in Nashville is proceeding as planned.
Mark Emmert says the NCAA is looking to move the Final Four out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium into a smaller venue in Atlanta.
Regional sites could also be moved from the currently scheduled arenas to smaller venues in same cities.
The plan is to keep sites for the 1st round as is.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) March 11, 2020
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
