The NCAA is bringing major collegiate athletic events to San Antonio, once again spotlighting the city's reputation as a preferred locale for sports championships. According to an announcement yesterday, the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship and the 2027 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional will be held in the city, with the volleyball championship taking place at the Alamodome and the basketball regional at the Frost Bank Center.
Amid competitive bidding involving over 1,200 submissions from schools, cities, and commissions across 47 states and Washington D.C., San Antonio emerged victorious in securing these events. The city has a long-standing history with the NCAA, having hosted previous volleyball championships in 2005 and 2011, as well as 11 men's basketball regionals. San Antonio's experience and prestige in organizing such events likely played a part in the NCAA's selection process, as detailed by KSAT.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed San Antonio's honor and excitement at the prospect of hosting these future athletic showcases. "San Antonio has enjoyed having the DI Women’s Championships twice before, and our third time will be even more exciting as women’s sports gain significant momentum around the nation," Nirenberg told GoUTSA. He pointed out the rise in popularity of women's sports, highlighted by the record attendance numbers at volleyball games during the regular season.
Jenny Carnes, President & CEO of San Antonio Sports, weighed in on the city's unique appeal to college sports fans and its ideal infrastructure for championship events. "NCAA fans love coming to San Antonio and our city has the perfect setup for all the championship has to offer," Carnes remarked in a statement obtained by GoUTSA. San Antonio Sports is celebrating its 40th anniversary post hosting numerous premier events, detailing an economic impact that has soared more than $1 billion for the local area.
The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee, collaborating with institutions like UTSA and the City itself, looks forward to magnifying the city's allure during these prestigious competitions. "The San Antonio community really embraces NCAA Championship events and creates a special environment not just within the Alamodome, but throughout the city," Lisa Campos, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at UTSA, highlighted to GoUTSA. With more than 20 NCAA Championship events coordinated since 1997, the city's track record is impressive, and another feather in the cap comes in the form of these upcoming tournaments.
