March Madness to Return to Tulsa in 2017

The NCAA has announced that Tulsa will host the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships. The Tulsa Sports Commission partnered with the University of Tulsa and host venue BOK Center/SMG to bid on the event.

“The Tulsa Sports Commission is extremely honored to be selected as a host city by the NCAA for the first and second rounds of the Men’s Basketball Championship,” said Ray Hoyt, senior vice president of VisitTulsa and the Tulsa Sports Commission. “This major win for the Tulsa region is a testament to our strong partnership with the University of Tulsa, which continually allows us to showcase NCAA sporting events right here in our own backyard, and the BOK Center, whose premier facilities ensure the fan experience is one of the best in the nation. The Tulsa Sports Commission is excited to roll out the welcome mat to our basketball fans March 17 and 19, 2017.”

“The road to the 2017 Final Four starts in Tulsa,” said John Hewitt, chairman of the Tulsa Sports Commission Board of Directors and CEO of Matrix Service Company. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome March Madness fans to the Tulsa region in 2017, and to showcase this exciting destination on a national level.”

“SMG is ecstatic to welcome March Madness back to BOK Center,” said Jeff Nickler, general manager of BOK Center, an SMG managed facility. “It was truly a community effort to make this happen and we are grateful for the privilege of hosting this iconic event again. I am confident that Tulsa will provide another unforgettable experience for the NCAA, student-athletes, alumni and fans.”

"The University of Tulsa is pleased to partner yet again with the Tulsa Sports Commission, the City of Tulsa and SMG, to host the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds at the BOK Center. The NCAA recognizes the success that Tulsa has had in hosting not only the 2011 second & third rounds, but national championships for golf and tennis. Today's announcement shows their confidence in Tulsa to operate and host one of the NCAA's most premiere events," said TU's Vice President & Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg.