NCAA Approves Championship Hosting Agreements for Next Decade-Plus

The NCAA has approved championship hosting agreements for Division I and II men’s and women’s sports, with several extending into 2038.

Cary, North Carolina, will host men’s and women’s Division I soccer through 2028 and Division II baseball through 2038. Orlando will be the site for Division I men’s and women’s tennis through 2037 and beach volleyball will take place in Gulf Shores, Alabama, through 2031.

“These communities have a proven track record of successfully hosting NCAA events, and we’re excited to make this announcement of extended host agreements with Cary, Gulf Shores and Orlando for these six NCAA championships,” said Anthony Holman, NCAA vice president of championships and alliances. “The commitment to invest and support these championships in terms of facilities, staffing, marketing and more were integral data points to our decision-making process.”

Cary Continues College Cups

The agreement in Cary will see the Division II Baseball Championship finals remain through the 2037–2038 championship season, while the men’s and women’s College Cups will remain through the 2028–2029 season with ongoing discussions about lengthening the soccer agreement in the future.

Both College Cups will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2026 and 2027. At least one of the College Cups will be at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2028, with the NCAA to determine whether the men’s or women’s soccer championship, or both, will take place there. Baseball will stay at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.

Since 2003, Cary has hosted a College Cup 19 times, 11 times for the women and eight times for the men. It will host both the men and women in 2024 and men’s soccer in 2025. The Division II Baseball Championship finals have been hosted in Cary for 14 of the past 15 events. The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance will continue local support for all three championships.

“For more than 20 years, Cary has had the honor of hosting NCAA championships, and we are deeply grateful that the NCAA seeks to extend this valued partnership for the long term,” Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said. “Our leadership in hosting NCAA championships is a testament to collaborative efforts that thrive on the dedication and support of those around us. Cary sports venues embody the pinnacle of excellence, and we are proud to continue showcasing them on such a prominent stage.”

Orlando is Tennis Central

As part of a 10-year agreement, the Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships will be hosted by the United States Tennis Association and the University of Central Florida in Orlando from the 2027–2028 season through 2036–2037. The USTA and UCF jointly hosted the 2019, 2021 and 2023 Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships. In 2023, the event also featured the Division II and III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, becoming the first time all tennis championships were conducted at the same site in a festival-style event.

“This is a momentous day for the USTA and for college tennis,” said Lew Sherr, chief executive officer and executive director of the USTA. “Supporting college tennis is a growing priority for the USTA, as it is not only the aspirational dream of youth tennis players across the country but is also an increasingly vital part of the elite player development pathway. We are proud to bring this event to Orlando for years to come and are excited to work alongside the NCAA and all our local partners to elevate this event and give college tennis the platform it so richly deserves.”

The USTA is building six additional indoor courts to go with the existing six indoor courts, while adding shade structures at the 12 outdoor courts. The USTA also will be making an enhanced financial commitment to the championships, including supplementing existing broadcast agreements. With the proposed improvements, the USTA National Campus will be the only facility with 12 outdoor competition courts, 20 practice courts and 12 total indoor courts at one site.

Gulf Shores Continues as Volleyball Hub

The beachh volleyball championships will have a five-year agreement with Gulf Shores, Alabama, from 2027 to 2031. Gulf Shores hosted the first eight national championships beginning in 2016 and has seen attendance records set each year. Before the sport achieved NCAA championship status, the community staged the American Volleyball Coaches Association sand championships.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship back in 2027 and 2028, but we are humbly honored to have the bid extended through 2031,” said Beth Gendler, president and chief executive officer of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “We hope to become the permanent home for this impactful championship. The NCAA championship team is much more than a professional partnership; they are our family. We look forward to rolling out our white-sand carpet for the championship again soon.”

Capital improvements include the addition of spectator stadium seating and additional hospitality space along with upgrades to the television compound. Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events also has committed to enhancing marketing resources and elevating the student-athlete experience.