NCAA selects 7 sites in Alabama to host future championship events

The NCAA has officially announced several host sites for future postseason events through 2028 from Division I men’s basketball to Division II soccer.

Alabama is no stranger to hosting big NCAA events and is already on the slate to host the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds of the 2025 Division I women’s basketball tournament.

Keep reading to see which events are coming to our state + what cities will get to host the best of the best in college sports.

Men’s March Madness returns to Birmingham

Alabama and Auburn both got to play in front of their home-state crowd the last time the NCAA was at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. In 2023, the city hosted the men’s basketball tournament for the first time in 15 years.

The Magic City will not have to wait nearly as long this time around as the NCAA announced the BJCC will host the first and second rounds of the 2028 tournament.

Birmingham will also host the 2027 Division II Indoor Track and Field Finals at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Beach volleyball returns to the coast

It was a slight surprise when the NCAA pulled the national collegiate beach volleyball finals from the state. Gulf Shores hosted the event from 2012 to 2024 but the next two years are set to be played in California.

However, the finals will return to Gulf Shores Public Beach in 2027 and 2028. It will officially be hosted by UAB and the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

Huntsville to host D2 soccer, cross country

Huntsville seemed to be on the NCAA’s list more than any other city as it gets set to host several regional and national competitions including:

• 2026 Division II Cross Country Regionals – John Hunt Park
• 2027 Division I Cross Country Regionals – John Hunt Park
• 2027 Division II Cross Country Finals – John Hunt Park
• 2027 Division II Men’s and Women’s Soccer Finals – Joe Davis Stadium

Golf + gymnastics headed to Auburn

The Plains are used to hosting big events week after week but Auburn University will also soon be tasked with hosting a pair of NCAA events. Auburn will host:

• 2025 Division I golf regionals – Auburn University Club
• 2028 Collegiate gymnastics regionals – Neville Arena

Which NCAA event are you hoping to attend? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.