The Visit Sacramento Sports Commission announced today that the NCAA has tapped Sacramento to host several upcoming, top-tier collegiate sporting events. The awards include the return of NCAA competitions that have been held locally in the past, as well as College Cup soccer for the first time.
The full list of awarded events includes:
· 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball First and Second Round
· 2023 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Preliminary
· 2024 NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships
· 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship
· 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship
· 2026 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Preliminary
· 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional
The Visit Sacramento Sports Commission, in partnership with entities such as Sacramento State, actively pursues events like NCAA competitions to invigorate the local economy. Visit Sacramento sees the return of major sports events as a critical piece in driving the Sacramento region’s recovery in the wake of COVID-19.
“We are thrilled that the NCAA continues to see Sacramento as an ideal location for so many of its important events,” said Visit Sacramento President & CEO Mike Testa. “Sporting events provide fun and excitement for our community, but they also serve as crucial drivers of tourism spending. When competitions come to town, they bring along sometimes hundreds of athletes, coaches, staff, their families and fans. These visitors stay overnight in our hotels, eat in our local restaurants, shop in local stores, frequent our attractions, and much more. This kind of economic support will be crucial in helping Sacramento hospitality businesses get back on their feet post-pandemic.”
Beyond the NCAA, the Visit Sacramento Sports Commission is in active discussions with several other major sports organizations to bring additional events – and tourism spending – to the market as soon as possible. This includes the inaugural Ironman California triathlon, set to be held in Sacramento in 2021. Ironman announced Sacramento as the host of the new event at the beginning of 2020.
“As Sacramento continues to evolve, so does our prowess as a major sports destination,” said Visit Sacramento Sports Commission Director David Eadie. “We look forward to continuing to solidify our region as a premier location for competitions of all sizes and varieties.”