When the NCAA tournament rolls around each year, the entire nation is captivated by the heart-stopping action. Players become stars, and star players become legends. Fans make their March Madness picks in hopes of scoring a big win.
Amid the hustle and bustle of end-to-end action, the host cities put on a show for players and fans. In particular, the Final Four host city puts its best foot forward. In 2023, it’s Houston, Texas’s turn to showcase its hosting skills. It’s time basketball fans and travel enthusiasts became acquainted with this year’s Final Four host city.
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March Madness 2023 Final Four Host City
The Final Four is the premier showcase of the NCAA tournament. After hundreds of teams get eliminated, 68 make the big dance. After preliminary rounds, divisional and conference matchups, four teams remain. These four teams vie for the NCAA championship trophy.
Houston, Texas, will house this year’s Final Four. The Houston, home to the Johnson Space Center, is one of the most iconic cities in America. Houston stands as the Lone Star State’s largest city. Folks from all walks of life make Houston a vibrant city.
Visitors to Houston can enjoy a diverse cultural scene, superb gastronomic experiences, and singular sporting events. Houston is home to the NFL’s Houston Texas, MLB’s Houston Astros, and the NBA’s Houston Rockets. But there’s a unique place 2023’s NCAA champion will never forget: NRG Stadium.
March Madness 2023 Final Four Host Stadium
NRG Stadium, formerly known as Reliant Stadium, was inaugurated in 2002. The venue had a cost of approximately $352 million. Its seating capacity surpasses 72,000 spectators while sporting a retractable roof. The stadium’s naming rights are part of a 32-year deal with NRG Energy.
The Houston Texans call NRG Stadium home. But this site is much more than a trending football stadium. The Houston Livestock Show and the Texas Bowl use NRG Stadium as their venues.
NRG Stadium’s modern appeal makes it an ideal venue for international sporting events. The US Men’s National Soccer Team plays matches in Houston, while Mexico’s Men’s National Soccer Team plays international friendlies at NRG Stadium as the home team.
NRG Stadium has been home to major sports and entertainment events such as the Super Bowl in 2004 and 2017 and WrestleMania 25 in 2009. The stadium will be featured as one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
March Madness 2023 Final Four Venue
NRG Stadium is part of a larger entertainment complex known as NRG Park. This complex includes the Houston Astros’ former home, the Astrodome. NRG Park occupies 1.4 km2, housing four separate venues: NRG Stadium, NRG Center, NRG Arena, and NRG Astrodome.
NRG Arena
The complex houses concerts, livestock shows, and professional wrestling events such as WCW Thunder at the NRG Arena. This smaller venue is ideal for events housing approximately 10,000 attendees. Minor league teams such as Houston Hotshots of indoor soccer fame have played at the NRG Arena.
NRG Astrodome
The NRG Astrodome opened its doors in 1965. It was the first domed stadium in North America, making it an architectural wonder for its time. The Houston Astros played at the Astrodome until moving to Minute Maid Park. The former NFL team, Houston Oilers, played in the Astrodome until moving to Nashville, Tennessee.
The Astrodome still houses large events such as the Republican National Convention, the NBA All-Star Game, and WrestleMania events.
NRG Center
NRG Center has been the main venue for the Houston Livestock Show. While it’s suitable for mass-appeal events, its 706,000 square feet can be broken into eleven different venues. The Center contains 61 meeting rooms, two conference centers, 118 loading bays, and over 150,000 square feet suitable for registration space. It’s even got capabilities for space shuttle transportation.
Houston is one of the most exciting and dazzling cities in the US. Basketball fans looking to catch March Madness action can enjoy more than just top-level sports action. Visitors from around the world will find Houston an impressive all-around American city.
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