COLUMBUS (Oct. 14, 2020) – After a year-long bid process, Columbus was not selected to host the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2025 or 2026.   

In an announcement, the NCAA shared that they selected Tampa to host in 2025 and Phoenix will host in 2026.  

“This bid cycle was significant for Division I women’s basketball, as we were able to identify two outstanding future host cities for the Women’s Final Four in 2025 and 2026 and named the eight regional host sites that will be part of our new two-site regional format that is in play beginning in 2023,” said Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president of women’s basketball. “I am pleased that over the next six years we will play in several new markets, while providing enhanced hosting opportunities.” 

In January, the NCAA announced that Columbus was one of four host city finalists. Following that announcement, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, The Ohio State University and Nationwide Arena submitted the final bid to host in May. In the months after, virtual site visits and final presentations were required by all finalists before the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee made their decision. The fourth city competing for a spot was Portland. 

“Now more than ever, we are grateful for our partnership with the NCAA,” said Linda Shetina Logan, executive director of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “When we hosted the Women’s Final Four in 2018, it connected our community in a meaningful way and introduced thousands of people to our great city. We look forward to the day we can showcase all Columbus has to offer again and are thankful for this opportunity to be a finalist in the bid process.”   

Columbus has hosted more than 100 NCAA events over the past 25 years and will be home to eight NCAA events in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The city is a top destination for girls and women’s sporting events and will host these events in upcoming years: 

  • NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship | March 2021 | Ohio Dominican – Alumni Hall 

  • NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship – Regionals | May 2021 | Ohio State Golf Club – Scarlet Course 

  • NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship & American Volleyball Coaches Association Annual Convention | December 2021 | Nationwide Arena & Greater Columbus Convention Center 

  • National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship | April 2022 | Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl 

Columbus will be home to the following women’s sporting events from 2024- 2026: 

2024 

  • NCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Championship | Capital Center  

  • NCAA NC Men’s and Women’s Fencing Championships | French Field House 

2025 

  • NCAA DI Women’s Golf Regionals | Ohio State Golf Club  

2026 

  • NCAA NC Men’s and Women’s Rifle Championships | St. John Arena/French Field House 

Read the NCAA’s full Women’s Final Four selection release here.