COLUMBUS, Ohio – The women’s Division I Final Four is coming to Columbus.
Following an 18-month bidding process, the NCAA announced on Monday night that it has awarded the 2018 Final Four to Columbus. The games will be played at Nationwide Arena and will be hosted by Ohio State over the weekend of March 30-April 1, 2018.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission estimates the events will generate $18 million to $20 million in visitor spending with the semifinals and championship game attracting more than 40,000 fans to Nationwide Arena over two nights. Visitors will book close to 7,000 hotel rooms for the two nights, the commission said.
Columbus was a finalist along with Dallas, Houston, Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Tampa. Dallas will host the event in 2017, Tampa in 2019 and New Orleans in 2020, the NCAA announced.
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association will also hold its convention that weekend at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, plus there will be a fan festival and several related community events.