Entire 2021 March Madness tournament to be played in Indiana

With all 67 games being played in the Hoosier state, the NCAA said the majority will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The league championships will be held on April 3 and April 5, but dates for preliminary rounds have not yet been revealed.

The NCAA Division I March Madness tournament, a college basketball extravaganza that occurs annually, was canceled for the first time in 2020 due to the coronavirus. The 2021 contest will feature modifications in light of the continuing pandemic, such as limiting the number of attendees at the games.

“The 2021 version of March Madness will be one to remember, if for no other reason than the uniqueness of the event,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt. “This is going to be complicated and difficult; there’s no question about that. … We will all pull together and stage a terrific national championship.”

Joe Hogsett, the mayor of Indianapolis, praised the development in a tweet shortly after the announcement.

“We’re excited to host the 2021 NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament here in Indianapolis,” Hogsett said. “This is an opportunity to remind everyone that we are the best host city in the country—and our entire community will have a role to play.”

The NCAA is working with government officials to promote its new program designed to promote coronavirus safety precautions, “Mask Madness.” As part of the initiative, the organization will donate thousands of masks throughout the state ahead of the tournament.