Raleigh to host men’s basketball Sweet 16, Elite Eight games in 2028 :: WRALSportsFan.com
Raleigh’s Lenovo Center will host Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games during the 2028 men’s basketball NCAA Tournament, the NCAA announced Wednesday.
Raleigh is scheduled to host first- and second-round games in the 2025 tournament.
Raleigh will host the 2028 East Regional on March 23 and 25. The team that wins the East Regional advances to the Final Four, which will be held in Las Vegas in 2028.
Charlotte’s Spectrum Center will host first- and second-round games in 2027.
North Carolina athletics director Bubba Cunningham is the chairman of the tournament’s selection committee, which helps makes decisions on future tournament sites.
Raleigh has hosted first- and second-round games in 2016, 2014, 2008, 2004, 1979, 1977, 1969, 1952 and 1951. The city hosted a regional in 1982, 1974, 1971, 1968, 1966, 1964 and 1953.
The Lenovo Center, formerly PNC Arena, is set to undergo a $300-million renovation project beginning next summer. The Carolina Hurricanes have lease rights to develop up to 80 acres around the arena. Development is expected to start in December 2025.
The men’s basketball sites were part of a larger NCAA postseason site selection announcement. North Carolina will host 17 events.
Other events coming to the area:
Field hockey: 2027 Division I finals, Karen Shelton Stadium, Chapel Hill
Field hockey: 2027 Division II finals, Irwin Belk Stadium, Wingate
Baseball: 2027 and 2028 Division II finals, USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary
Women’s gymnastics: 2027 National Collegiate regionals, Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh
Men’s soccer: 2026 and 2027 Men’s College Cup, WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
Women’s soccer: 2026 and 2027 Women’s College Cup, WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary
Fencing: 2027 finals, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
Cross Country: 2026 Division II regionals, Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex, Kernersville
Women’s golf: 2028 Division I regionals, Bermuda Run Country Club, Bermuda Run
Swimming and diving: 2027 and 2028 DIvision III finals, Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro
Women’s water polo: 2028 finals, Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro
Source: wralsportsfan.com