For the second time, Arizona State University will serve as the host institution for men's college basketball's premiere showcase. The host institution plays an essential role in ensuring the smooth operation of the massive event. ASU is responsible for providing support during the preparation process and throughout the weekend, which requires years of planning and involves hundreds of staff. In 2017, Arizona State and the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee received rave reviews for the job they did in hosting the first ever Final Four in the state of Arizona.
WHAT: 2024 NCAA MEN'S FINAL FOUR
WHO: Semifinal #1 | No. 11 NC State vs. No. 1 Purdue; Semifinal #2 | No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 UConn
WHEN: Saturday, April 6 | Game 1 - 3:09 PM MST on TBS; Game 2 - 5:49 PM MST on TBS (or 40 minutes after conclusion of Game 1)
Monday, April 8 | National Championship Game - 6:20 PM MST
WHERE: State Farm Stadium in Glenda, Arizona (1 Cardinals Dr, Glendale, AZ 85305)
HOW: The Valley's Final Four bid was a collaborative effort, with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, local municipalities, tourism bureaus and the Arizona Cardinals teaming up with the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee (PLOC). Arizona State University will serve as the host institution.
WHY: The 2017 Final Four generated an estimated $324.5 million in economic impact, according to a study by Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business. The event also provided vast media exposure for the state, with a Final Four-record 2,201 credentialed media and an average of nearly 23 million television viewers for the North Carolina-Gonzaga championship game.
GAME PROGRAM (ORDER NOW)
Hot off the press, order your own copy of the 2024 #MFinalFour game program today!
— NCAA Men's Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 1, 2024
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ANOTHER MAJOR EVENT COMES TO ARIZONA
The same stadium that hosted Super Bowl LVII will host the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four, as The Valley once again becomes the center of the sports universe. This is the second Men's Final Four hosted by Arizona State, as they successfully served as the host in 2017. The 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four is coming to Phoenix and will also be hosted by Arizona State at Footprint Center (home of the Phoenix Suns) April 3 & 5.
LIONEL HOLLINS KEYS TO LIFE AWARD
Athletes in Action, an international sports ministry, is recognizing Sun Devil Men's Basketball legend Lionel Hollins at their annual Keys to Life Breakfast. Held annually during the NCAA Men's Final Four Weekend, the Coach John Wooden Keys to Life Breakfast recognizes individuals in the game of basketball who display outstanding character, leadership and integrity, both on and off the court. Hosted by Athletes in Action, the 27th annual breakfast features the presentation of the Keys to Life Award to a current or former basketball figure who best exemplifies the character and leadership for which the legendary Coach Wooden was known.
Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Famer Lionel Hollins is the 2024 Coach John Wooden Keys to Life Award recipient. Special to this year's event is the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, in which the organization will be honoring valley sports icon Jerry Colangelo and his contributions to the game of basketball and his community. The duo will be honored at an event on Final Four weekend emceed by broadcaster Sage Steele. The breakfast will be held Saturday, April 6 at 8 AM MST (doors open at 7:30 AM) at the Phoenix Convention Center (111 N. 3rd St. West Building, Room 301 - Phoenix, AZ 85004).
ADDITIONAL LINKS
-- Official Site of the 2024 Men's Final Four Host Committee
-- History-Making Storylines We Could See at the 2024 Men's Final Four
-- Arizona's Final Four will Have Super Bowl-Level Fan Entertainment Options (Arizona Republic)
-- How the Final Four's Court got to Arizona (State Press)
-- How Final Four organizers in Phoenix are staying sustainable during massive sports event (KTAR.com)
-- Final Four Legacy Project providing upgrades to Phoenix community center (AZFamily.com)
-- March Madness Returns: Phoenix prepares to host the Final Four (Phoenix.org)
-- Final Four Week brings hoops fever to Arizona (Cronkite News)
-- 'Cactus Basketball Hoops' Spring up in Valley Ahead of 2024 Men's Final Four (Queen Creek Sun Times)
-- Future Final Four sites
SOCIAL BUZZ
Headed to Phoenix for the #MFinalFour?
— NCAA Men's Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 1, 2024
Download the Men's Final Four app presented by @ATT to stay up-to-date on all the action throughout the week.
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Wondering what you can bring into the NCAA @MFinalFour Fan Fest® presented by Capital One? Review and save this list of prohibited items so you are ready to play @PhoenixConCtr! ????
— City of Phoenix, AZ (@CityofPhoenixAZ) April 3, 2024
Dates are April 5-8, 2024.
Visit https://t.co/t0VsglaZ5Y for more information. pic.twitter.com/zeUBI2cUSi
It was a special morning, as we unveiled the NCAA @MFinalFour Legacy Project presented by Degree at Eastlake Park!
— AZ Major Events Host Committee (@azmajorevents) April 3, 2024
The project included refurbished courts; new hoops, equipment and a mural paying tribute to the park's rich history painted by local artist @justcreatedittt. pic.twitter.com/GE2estyTpM
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— NCAA Men's Final Four (@MFinalFour) April 2, 2024
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Great day with the @MFinalFour opening up the new Legacy Project courts in Phoenix! ????#ForksUp #MFinalFour #NCAAMarchMadness pic.twitter.com/BIjKj5Rr6O
— Sparky the Sun Devil (@SparkySunDevil) April 2, 2024
Plan ahead! With all the events held in #DTPHX during the @MFinalFour April 5-8, 2024, we ask you to be mindful of road closures to avoid traffic delays!
— Downtown Phoenix (@downtownphoenix) April 2, 2024
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We're ready for the madness! ?? Let Valley Metro get you to all the @mfinalfour excitement in @downtownphoenix and @glendaleaz. Head to https://t.co/76ZoILh5Gb to plan your trip and score free rides by downloading the complimentary transit pass. #MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/bDySIG0M47
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) April 2, 2024
The biggest ?????????? floor in sports! ???? pic.twitter.com/KQD99xC2pU
— AZ Major Events Host Committee (@azmajorevents) March 30, 2024
Bring it on, AZ! @MFinalFour is coming our way, and we're already feeling the excitement from the fans.
— State Farm Stadium (@StateFarmStdm) April 3, 2024
Today, we're looking back at the incredible moment in 2017 when UNC claimed victory over Gonzaga right here at @StateFarmStdm. ???? pic.twitter.com/KoDsiCte2G
Heading to the Valley ??? pic.twitter.com/4B8sOA89uO
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 1, 2024