Stadium Watch Blog

Minneapolis could play host to Final Four again

20131227_finalfour_33
Jason Williams of Duke cuts down the net after defeating Arizona 82-72 in the NCAA National Championship Game of the Men's Final Four tournament at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 2, 2001. (Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Officials with the NCAA are considering Minneapolis as a potential host for the league's signature men's basketball championship.

The Final Four was played in the Metrodome in 1992 and 2001. Minneapolis is bidding to host the series for a third time in the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, which is set to open in 2016. The city has already been named to host the 2018 Super Bowl.

NCAA officials paid a visit to the city on Tuesday to check on the city's bid.

"We obviously showed them the obvious things, both our convention center and of course the stadium site," said Melvin Tennant, CEO of Meet Minneapolis, the city's visitor and convention agency. "But in terms of how we positioned our bid, we're going to play that a little close to the vest, because it is still a very competitive situation. But let's just say we showed them the venues and we showed them the best of what Minneapolis has to offer."

In November, the NCAA is expected to name the host cities for the men's basketball championships in 2017 through 2020. Other cities in the running include Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, North Texas, Phoenix, San Antonio and St. Louis.

"We've made one cut," Tennant said. "I believe there were 12 cities at first, down to eight. And I'm not aware that they're going to make any further cuts before they name the final four cities."