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Dayton gets new partner in NCAA opening round hosting duties
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March Madness will experience growth once the 2027 NCAA Basketball Tournament arrives. A new 76-team format received unanimous approval back in May 2026 . That also means Dayton will receive some help.
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Wichita will serve as another host site during the "opening round" of the tournament, which replaces the first four scenario. The Kansas town will become a tournament site for 2027 and 2028, per the NCAA.
"Wichita and Dayton, Ohio, which has served as the host city for the start of the tournament since 2001, both will host three games each day on the Tuesday and Wednesday after Selection Sunday," the statement from the NCAA read.
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Turns out other cities were vying to become a host. But Wichita earns the right to become a neutral site. Chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee Keith Gill explained how Wichita earned the bid.
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"Like Dayton, Wichita is a basketball-crazed community that we expect will embrace the reimagined start of the tournament," Gill said in a release.
Wichita representing "Middle America" played a role, with Gill saying this spot will be "advantageous for getting teams from various points around the country," plus prevent long range travel for teams sneaking into the tourney.
InTrust Bank Arena will serve as the host site for the Wichita games. March 16 and 17 are the target dates for the opening round contests of the '27 tourney.
The 76-team format erases the 68-team field that became a staple since 2011. The men's tourney operated as a 65-team field that featured one "play-in" game as part of the 2005 expansion.
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