For years, Dayton, Ohio has been the undisputed king of the NCAA Tournament's opening week. The city's UD Arena has hosted every First Four game since the event's creation, turning the Flyers' home court into a March Madness launching pad. But that exclusive run is about to end. With the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams, Dayton will no longer be the sole host of the opening round.
The First Four—a pair of Tuesday and Wednesday night games featuring No. 11 and No. 16 seeds—has become a beloved tradition in Dayton. But as the Big Dance grows, the NCAA is looking to spread the love. tournament expansion to 76 teams means more games, more teams, and the need for another venue to handle the load.
Albuquerque Emerges as Top Contender
Longtime college basketball insider Andy Katz has already thrown his weight behind a potential new host: Albuquerque, New Mexico. Katz, who spent the first five years of his career covering games at the legendary Pit, believes the venue is a perfect fit.
“The men’s basketball committee will seek a second opening round site to pair with Dayton. I would love to see it be Albuquerque,” Katz wrote. “Albuquerque, like Dayton, would support NCAA Tournament games that don’t involve their home team. That has to be a must for the committee in choosing a second site. The Pit history (see 1983 for starters) with the NCAA Tournament should mean something in this process.”
The Pit has hosted NCAA Tournament games before, most famously in 1983 when Jim Valvano's NC State team began its improbable championship run there. Katz argues that kind of tradition matters when selecting a site that can match Dayton's passion.
Why Dayton's Reign Is Ending
The NCAA's decision to expand the tournament from 68 to 76 teams—a move that adds more at-large bids and opening-round matchups—creates a scheduling crunch. UD Arena simply can't accommodate all the extra games in the same window. That's why the committee is actively seeking a second site to share the load.
Dayton's run as the exclusive host has been a point of pride for the city and the university. The Flyers' home court has become synonymous with the frantic, win-or-go-home atmosphere of the First Four. But as March Madness gets bigger, the tournament needs to evolve.
The NCAA has not yet made an official announcement about the second site, but the writing is on the wall. With Katz's strong endorsement and the Pit's proven track record, Albuquerque looks like the front-runner. Other cities could enter the conversation, but New Mexico's fan base—famously loyal even without a home team in the field—gives it a clear edge.
What This Means for March Madness
For fans, the change means more basketball in more cities. The First Four has always been a unique appetizer to the main course of the first round. Now, that appetizer will be served in two locations instead of one.
Dayton will remain a key part of the equation—the NCAA isn't abandoning the city that made the First Four a hit. But the era of Dayton as the sole gatekeeper to the Big Dance is over. As the tournament grows, so does its footprint. And Albuquerque, with its electric atmosphere and deep NCAA history, could be the perfect partner to keep the madness spreading.
