As a host of mega sporting events, Arizona has welcomed Super Bowls, the PGA Tour, NASCAR and the NBA All-Star Game. Now, plans are underway to attract the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four.
This week, Phoenix council members will vote on a resolution to support a bid to host the Women’s Final Four. If the National Collegiate Athletic Association awards the 2025 or '26 event to Phoenix, it’ll mark the city’s first time hosting. Glendale hosted the Men’s Final Four games in 2017 and will host again in 2024 with most fan events taking place in downtown Phoenix.
Supporting the women’s bid means Phoenix will allow the NCAA to use the city-owned Talking Stick Resort Arena for the national semifinal and championship games. It also involves committing a city liaison, permitting and marketing assistance, and public safety support for a variety of fan events.
In 2019 when Tampa Bay hosted, the NCAA reported the Women’s Final Four fan fest drew more than 22,000 visitors while a Saturday concert attracted more than 4,000 people. The next Women’s Final Four will be held in New Orleans this April.
