Wichita Selected to Host 2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Regional Rounds
WICHITA, Kan. (July 18, 2018) — For the first time, Wichita has been selected to host the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Regional Rounds. Wichita was picked as one of four regional sites. The games will be held March 25-28, 2022.
Wichita State University will serve as the host for the event, which will take place at INTRUST Bank Arena, in partnership with Visit Wichita, Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita.
The last time Wichita served as host for the women’s tournament was for rounds one and two in 2011. In 2017, the Wichita State Volleyball team hosted NCAA first and second rounds for the first time in school history and in 2018, Wichita hosted men’s basketball first and second rounds.
“We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to not only host another NCAA event, but the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, where the winner will move on to the Final Four,” said WSU Associate Athletic Director and tournament manager Brad Pittman. “We’re grateful for the entities that pulled together to make this happen and look forward to another opportunity to showcase our university and community.”
Wichita was selected from a highly competitive group of qualified cities. Collaboration between the partners who submitted the bid and WSU's basketball momentum helped position Wichita well, showing Wichita had the necessary facilities and a supportive community to successfully host the event.
"Being selected by the NCAA to host the NCAA Division I women’s Basketball Championship for a second time is an honor,” said A.J. Boleski, SMG General Manager for INTRUST Bank Arena. “We’re thrilled to once again showcase Wichita’s world-class facilities on a national stage.”
Visit Wichita is looking forward to welcoming basketball fans for 2021 men’s basketball first and second rounds, and then again in 2022 for women’s basketball regional rounds.
"This reaffirms Wichita is a basketball city, and also a great place to visit and explore,” said Susie Santo, president and CEO of Visit Wichita. “Just as we did earlier this year, Wichita will put our best foot forward and provide a fantastic welcome to sports fans from across the country."
About Wichita State University
The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling about 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas.
About INTRUST Bank Arena
INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita’s premier entertainment venue, is located in downtown Wichita. The Arena can seat more than 15,000 guests and hosts a variety of events including professional and collegiate sports, concerts, family shows and corporate functions. INTRUST Bank Arena is owned by Sedgwick County Government, and managed by SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development.
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2017 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.