University of Minnesota Athletics
NCAA Announces Minneapolis/St. Paul for Three Upcoming Championships
10/14/2020 12:55:00 PM | Men's Hockey, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Hockey
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced today that the University of Minnesota will host three collegiate championship events within the 2023-26 championship bid cycle. Minnesota was awarded the 2023 Men's Swimming and Diving Championship, 2024 Men's Frozen Four, and 2025 Women's Frozen Four.Â
In the next six years, the University of Minnesota will partner with Target Center and Xcel Energy Center and three facilities on its own campus to hold six NCAA championships in the Twin Cities. In addition to the three bids awarded today, Minnesota is also hosting a 2021 Men's Basketball Regional, 2021 Men's Gymnastics Championship, and 2022 Women's Basketball Final Four.Â
In addition, Golden Gopher Athletics welcomes its partnership with newly created Minnesota Sports and Events. A 501(c)(6) non-profit organization established by leaders from the hospitality, sports and business communities, will work with venue and community partners, Minnesota Sports and Events was formed to plan and execute the NCAA Championship bids for the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington region. Modeled after best practices of sports commissions across the U.S., Minnesota Sports and Events advances the established event procurement efforts in the region by forming an official commission that will orchestrate a coordinated approach, working with community organizations and businesses, to aggressively pursue economic opportunities for the state's hospitality, tourism and retail industries.Â
"The University of Minnesota is thrilled to continue to bring the premier events in college sports to our community," Senior Associate Athletic Director Tom McGinnis said. "As we start a new partnership with Minnesota Sports and Events, we are excited to showcase the iconic venues in our community to provide these championship experiences for the student-athletes and fans." Â Â
Minnesota will host its ninth NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship event in school history after it hosted eight previous men's championships (1937, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2018). All championships have been hosted at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center other than the 1937 men's championship, which was held at Cooke Hall.Â
The University of Minnesota will host its seventh NCAA Women's Frozen Four in school history and fifth at Ridder Arena. Previous years include the inaugural 2001 and 2006 championships at Mariucci, followed by the 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2018 championships at Ridder Arena. No other city has hosted the event more than three times.
Minnesota will play host to the NCAA Men's Frozen Four for the ninth time in school history. Minnesota previously hosted the 1958, 1966, 1989, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2018 Frozen Fours. The 1989, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2018 Frozen Fours were contested in St. Paul with the Xcel Energy Center hosting the 2002, 2011 and 2018 renditions.
2021 – NCAA Men's Basketball Regional, Target Center
2021 – NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship, Sports Pavilion
2022 – NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four, Target Center
2023 – NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving, Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center ^
2024 – NCAA Men's Frozen Four, Xcel Energy Center ^
2025 – NCAA Women's Frozen Four, Ridder Arena ^
Â
In the next six years, the University of Minnesota will partner with Target Center and Xcel Energy Center and three facilities on its own campus to hold six NCAA championships in the Twin Cities. In addition to the three bids awarded today, Minnesota is also hosting a 2021 Men's Basketball Regional, 2021 Men's Gymnastics Championship, and 2022 Women's Basketball Final Four.Â
In addition, Golden Gopher Athletics welcomes its partnership with newly created Minnesota Sports and Events. A 501(c)(6) non-profit organization established by leaders from the hospitality, sports and business communities, will work with venue and community partners, Minnesota Sports and Events was formed to plan and execute the NCAA Championship bids for the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington region. Modeled after best practices of sports commissions across the U.S., Minnesota Sports and Events advances the established event procurement efforts in the region by forming an official commission that will orchestrate a coordinated approach, working with community organizations and businesses, to aggressively pursue economic opportunities for the state's hospitality, tourism and retail industries.Â
"The University of Minnesota is thrilled to continue to bring the premier events in college sports to our community," Senior Associate Athletic Director Tom McGinnis said. "As we start a new partnership with Minnesota Sports and Events, we are excited to showcase the iconic venues in our community to provide these championship experiences for the student-athletes and fans." Â Â
Minnesota will host its ninth NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship event in school history after it hosted eight previous men's championships (1937, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2018). All championships have been hosted at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center other than the 1937 men's championship, which was held at Cooke Hall.Â
The University of Minnesota will host its seventh NCAA Women's Frozen Four in school history and fifth at Ridder Arena. Previous years include the inaugural 2001 and 2006 championships at Mariucci, followed by the 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2018 championships at Ridder Arena. No other city has hosted the event more than three times.
Minnesota will play host to the NCAA Men's Frozen Four for the ninth time in school history. Minnesota previously hosted the 1958, 1966, 1989, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2018 Frozen Fours. The 1989, 1991, 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2018 Frozen Fours were contested in St. Paul with the Xcel Energy Center hosting the 2002, 2011 and 2018 renditions.
2021 – NCAA Men's Basketball Regional, Target Center
2021 – NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship, Sports Pavilion
2022 – NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four, Target Center
2023 – NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving, Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center ^
2024 – NCAA Men's Frozen Four, Xcel Energy Center ^
2025 – NCAA Women's Frozen Four, Ridder Arena ^
Â
Timelapse: 2026 World Juniors
Monday, December 22
Play in Focus: Javon Moore at Denver
Thursday, December 18
Mic'd Up: Brody Lamb
Tuesday, December 16
Highlights: Gophers 5, Ohio State 6
Friday, December 05