From the HERE City National Desk
MINNEAPOLIS — March Madness early rounds are returning to downtown Minneapolis in 2027, with Target Center tapped for first- and second-round sessions and ticket sales already open this week.
The Gophers athletic department is co-hosting the site with Minnesota Sports and Events. NCAA records place the arena on the 2027 first- and second-round map for Division I mens basketball. Tip dates are March 19 and March 21. Bracket teams will be assigned only after Selection Sunday.
Campus leaders note Minnesota is among eight schools given opening-weekend hosting duties that year. The city last put the mens Final Four in a football stadium in 2019 and staged the womens Final Four in 2022. Conference tournament basketball filled Target Center in 2023 and 2024.
Wrestling fans get a separate landmark: the 2028 NCAA Wrestling Championships are booked for U.S. Bank Stadium under the same Twin Cities hosting partnership, a football venue the association previously eyed before the pandemic canceled a prior plan.
On the court, Minnesota tips an exhibition Thursday against Omaha at Williams Arena, then opens the regular season Nov. 2 against North Dakota in year two of the Niko Medved era after finishing 15-18 last season.
