During the first week of April, ASM Global became the first venue management company to host the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball finals in its New Orleans Superdome and Minneapolis Target Center locations.
Attended by over 160,000 fans in both cities, the two major events continue a streak that began in 2022 for the global sporting and entertainment events manager and will continue through 2026 in company-operated facilities around the United States where ASM Global has been selected by the NCAA to host a total of 32 preliminary rounds and championships in Division I, II and III athletics over a five-year period.
The number of events over the five-year period is unprecedented for a single-facility operator.
Additionally, ASM Global will host the 2023 Men’s Final Four at NRG Park in Houston, followed by the 2024 Men’s Final Four at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
“We’re very appreciative of this recognition by the NCAA of our unique capabilities to integrate our global knowledge of best practices gleaned from our portfolio of the world’s most recognized and iconic venues combined with insights and sensitivities to each U.S. market in which we present these events,” says ASM Global President and CEO, Ron Bension. “We’re also proud of the fact that our resources help provide a much-needed financial boost for businesses.
Doug Thornton, the group’s executive vice president of stadiums, arenas and theatres, adds, “Of course each year is a little different than the previous one, but the ASM Global team’s experience is unparalleled and invaluable to events of this nature.
“Our staff has worked closely with NCAA officials now for years to plan these events, and it certainly helps that our team has had a great deal of experience with past Final Fours.”
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