The NCAA has tipped off some good news for Sacramento sports fans and the local economy. March Madness is dribbling its way back to the Golden 1 Center in 2027. The high-stakes, high-drama of the first and second rounds of men's Division I college basketball tournament will be bringing its energy and economic boost to Sac-Town, as confirmed in a recent announcement from the NCAA.
When the Golden 1 Center last hosted the games, leading to a heart-stopping upset from Princeton against No. 2-seeded Arizona. The success of the venue can't be denied—the NCAA's return is a slam dunk for the city, which reeled in $9.4 million from the event and filled up over 11,000 hotel rooms, according to a report by KCRA.
The Golden 1 Center is also set to host women's Division I college basketball regionals in 2026, as well as NCAA Division I and II Men’s and Women's Cross-Country Regional competitions in 2026 and 2027. It's a testament to Sacramento's growing reputation as a premier destination for sporting events, bolstering the community both socially and economically.
"We are deeply honored that the NCAA continues to recognize Sacramento as an ideal host city for these important events," said Mike Testa, Visit Sacramento president and CEO, in a statement on its website. "Sporting events like these make a tremendous impact on our city as they are crucial drivers of tourism spending and economic growth. These competitions bring thousands of athletes, staff, families and fans to Sacramento who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and support our local businesses" These sentiments are echoed by the enthusiasm of event organizers who are reportedly impressed with Sacramento’s ability to provide state-of-the-art facilities, passionate fans and to deliver efficient experiences for fans and athletes, as noted by ABC 10.
Sacramento has its game face on, ready to welcome the thousands of athletes, staff, families, and a fan to experience the thrill of March Madness. As David Eadie, Visit Sacramento’s chief sports and entertainment officer, told ABC 10, "We know the NCAA prioritizes the experience of its student-athletes when selecting host communities and we are excited to welcome them to Sacramento and play a part in creating that life-long memory."
