Basketball is Returning to Pittsburgh and It's Bringing the Madness with It

Get your brackets ready. SportsPITTSBURGH is excited to partner with Duquesne University to once again host the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. Eight teams from across the country, along with thousands of dedicated fans, will soon convene in Pittsburgh March 21 & 23 at PPG Paints Arena to begin their championship journey.

Action begins Thursday, March 21:

Session I
Game 1: 1:30 p.m. | #14 Akron vs. #3 Creighton
Game 2: 4:00 p.m. | #11 Oregon vs. #6 South Carolina
Session II
Game 3: 7:10 p.m. | #14 Oakland vs. #3 Kentucky
Game 4: 9:40 p.m. | #11 NC State vs. #6 Texas Tech
 

The winning teams of the First Round will then compete in the Second Round on Saturday, March 23, to find out who will move on to the Sweet 16.

“Duquesne Athletics is honored to serve as the institutional host for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship,” Duquesne Director of Athletics Dave Harper said. “This tournament marks the seventh time Duquesne will serve as a first and second round host, an accomplishment that is only made possible thanks to our strong partnerships with SportsPITTSBURGH and PPG Paints Arena. Together, we look forward to welcoming the NCAA back to Pittsburgh and hosting six exciting, competitive games.”

Tickets are on sale now at ncaatickets.com/championship/march-madness. All Sessions tickets include the full line-up of games hosted in Pittsburgh – Sessions 1 & 2 (four games) on March 21 and Session 3 (two games) on March 23. Additionally, premium ticket packages through the NCAA Fan Experience powered by On Location, the Official Ticket & Hospitality Provider of the NCAA. Packages are available and include official tickets, in-venue hospitality, special fan opportunities and more.

“We’re proud to partner with Duquesne University to host the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds again,” SportsPITTSBURGH Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins said. “Events, like these, put a national spotlight on Pittsburgh and generate a significant return on investment. From instilling community pride and driving local attendance to increasing out-of-state visitation, these major sports tournaments make significant and lasting impact on the region’s economy.” 

In 2022, the last time Pittsburgh hosted these rounds, the event generated a direct visitor spend of $10.4M across Allegheny County, welcoming nearly 20,000 attendees.

To learn more about the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds and other sporting events planned for Pittsburgh, please visit SportsPITTSBURGH.com.