Purdue and Indiana Set To Host NCAA Tournament Games in 2021

With COVID still causing postponed and cancelled games, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the NCAA would want to play in a centralized location. Playing in one general area would go a long way to limiting the potential for positive test cases that could cause serious problems when trying to play games in a timely manner. We now know where these games will take place.

It was rumored over the past few weeks, but the NCAA Tournament games this March will all take place across the state of Indiana. Most of these games will be taking place in Indianapolis, though there will be a few locations scattered across Indiana for presumably the first round games.

As of right now the following locations will be utilized to host games this March:

• Lucas Oil Stadium
• Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Indiana Farmers Coliseum
• Mackey Arena (West Lafayette)
• Assembly Hall (Bloomington)

Two of those locations are the home courts for Purdue and Indiana. It should be noted that the NCAA will likely utilize rules that won’t allow for Purdue and Indiana (if they make the NCAA Tournament) to play on their home courts this postseason.

“This is a historic moment for NCAA members and the state of Indiana,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “We have worked tirelessly to reimagine a tournament structure that maintains our unique championship opportunity for college athletes. The reality of today’s announcement was possible thanks to the tremendous leadership of our membership, local authorities and staff.”

The hosts for the NCAA Tournament are Ball State, Butler, the Horizon League, Indiana, IUPUI and Purdue, which will lend their facilities and staff to assist with the tournament. They also announced that they will use the Indiana Convention Center as a practice facility.

As of right now Selection Sunday is still set for March 14, with the tournament’s Final Four currently set for April 3 and 5. All 67 games will air across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.