Images: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Nearly four-and-a-half years after losing the opportunity to host the 2020 Men’s Final Four due to COVID-19, Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium has again been granted the chance to stage one of the world’s leading sporting events after being awarded the 2031 edition of the college basketball showpiece.
The home of NFL franchise the Atlanta Falcons and MLS team Atlanta United had been due to host the 2020 Final Four only for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) electing in March 2020 to cancel the event, and all other championships for the remainder of the academic year, as the global pandemic took hold.
The Final Four will now return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 5 and 7, 2031, following a decision taken by the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, marking the fifth time Atlanta will host the event.
The Final Four first took place in Atlanta in 1977, when Marquette beat North Carolina in the championship game in front of just over 16,000 fans at the Omni Coliseum. A quarter century later, Maryland won its lone national title, beating Indiana in front of more than 52,000 fans at the Georgia Dome.
The same facility hosted the 2007 Final Four, which featured Florida winning the second of its back-to-back titles, and the 2013 event, which saw Louisville edge Michigan in front of a then-record crowd of 74,326.
An even larger crowd is expected seven years from now, when Atlanta joins Kansas City, Indianapolis, New York, Louisville, New Orleans, Seattle and San Antonio as the only cities to host at least five Final Fours.
Previously announced Men’s Final Four hosts include San Antonio in 2025, Indianapolis in 2026 and 2029, Detroit in 2027, Las Vegas in 2028 and North Texas in 2030. This year’s event was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with the NCAA awarding hosting rights for the 2027-2030 Final Fours back in November 2022.
Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior vice-president of basketball, said: “The cancellation of the 2020 tournament, including the Men’s Final Four in Atlanta, was a necessary yet devastating decision for student-athletes, coaches and fans.
“It significantly impacted the Association and its membership, as well as the city of Atlanta, which has repeatedly been a terrific host to the event. The committee has been empathetic in its consideration of replacing the 2020 Men’s Final Four for Atlanta, and ultimately the city competed favourably and won the opportunity to host again at long last in 2031. We are looking forward to working with the Atlanta team to provide another memorable Men’s Final Four experience.”
Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens, added: “Time and again, Atlanta has proved itself as the best city in America to host global sporting events. We thank the NCAA for selecting us to host this incredible event.
“The eyes of the sporting world will be on Atlanta, and we know that we will be up to the task once again as a champion is crowned and One Shining Moment is played in 2031.”
AMBSE strengthens Wicket bond
In other news, AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE), parent company of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Falcons and United, has announced a new multi-year agreement with software company Wicket, designating it as the venue’s partner of technology.
Established in 2020 to allow stadiums to operate safely during the pandemic, Wicket became Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s facial ticketing provider in 2022 and has been aiding its frictionless experience.
Wicket’s technology has been incorporated in the Delta Fly Through Lanes, the facial ticketing system at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as facial payments at the frictionless markets on the stadium’s 100 and 200 levels, and facial authentication for exclusive access points on gameday.
“Wicket has been an integral part of keeping Mercedes-Benz Stadium a leader in fan experience,” said AMBSE chief commercial officer, Nana-Yaw Asamoah.
“One of our core values is to innovate continuously and Wicket has allowed us to implement new and easy options for fans who want a seamless experience. We are excited to bring them on as a partner and look forward to continuing to evolve our fan experience to the next level safely and securely.”
Alastair Partington, CEO of Wicket, added: “We are very excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, whose forward-thinking spirit and passion for innovation have challenged us to improve our facial authentication offerings.
“Together, we’re eager to elevate the gameday experience, working closely with partners like AMBSE to create truly sensational experiences for their fans.”
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