The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee has selected Ford Field in downtown Detroit to host the 2027 Men’s Final Four for the first time since 2009.
The national semifinals are set for Saturday, April 3, 2027, at Ford Field, with the national championship game tipping off on Monday, April 5, 2027.
The winning bid was a collaborative effort led by the Detroit Sports Commission, Visit Detroit, Michigan State University, the city of Detroit, Ford Field, and the Detroit Lions.
“We’ve worked closely with our partners to bring this premier event to college basketball fans across the state and we’re eager to experience the positive impact it will have on the region,” says Dave Beachnau, executive director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “It’s been a banner year for sports in Michigan with the recent announcement of Detroit being awarded the 2024 NFL Draft and the momentum we’ve seen has made it clear that Detroit is not coming back — it’s back.”
Detroit and its regional representative partners made their pitch to host the premiere college basketball event on Oct. 31.
Joining Beachnau, who served as the lead spokesperson for the bid, in the presentation were:
- Kevin Pauga, associate athletic director at Michigan State University
- Brad Michaels, executive director of the Quick Lane Bowl and events for the Detroit Lions
- Hakim Berry, COO for the city of Detroit
- Terry Rhadigan, vice president of corporate giving at General Motors Co.
Video messages also were played during the presentation that featured comments from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Izzo, and NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico.
“In a historic year for Detroit, today marks another huge win for the city with the announcement that the 2027 NCAA Final Four is coming back to Ford Field,” says Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “Visit Detroit is thrilled that the culmination of March Madness will be in the Motor City, and we look forward to working with our hospitality community partners to welcome basketball fans from across the county.
“The secret is out; southeast Michigan is the place to host world-class events, and the Final Four is another exciting win for Detroit that will be a powerful economic driver for our region.”
The Final Four joins a list of recent and future events planned in Detroit including the 2022 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships, 2023 USA Boxing National Qualifier, 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Regionals, 2024 NFL Draft, and eight future United States Golf Association (USGA) championships, including two men’s and two women’s U.S. Opens.
“Michigan State University is proud to serve as the host Institution for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit,” says Alan Haller, vice president and athletic director at MSU. “The Final Four creates memories that last a lifetime, and we look forward to partnering with the Detroit Sports Commission, Visit Detroit, Ford Field, and the city of Detroit to put on a tremendous event for fans, participating schools, and student-athletes.”
Ford Field will serve as the competition venue in 2027 and has hosted multiple large-scale events and shows since 2002, including Super Bowl XL in 2006, the 2008 NCAA Men’s Midwest Basketball Regional, and the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The stadium has also been home to the Mid-American Conference Football Championship since 2004 and the Quick Lane Bowl since 2014.
“We are proud to have the NCAA Men’s Final Four returning to Detroit, but particularly for us to host it once again at Ford Field,” says Rod Wood, president of the Detroit Lions. “The teamwork between the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Sports Commission, Michigan State University, and the city of Detroit is an exemplary illustration of a civic and private collaboration that will be felt for years to come in our community.
“While we are looking forward to 2027, this announcement is an additional opportunity to celebrate Ford Field’s 20th anniversary and the blockbuster events we’ve had the privilege of hosting since 2002.”
