The Epicenter Of
College Basketball
In Dayton, College Basketball Holds a Special Place in Our Hearts
To us, the First Four® is much more than what happens on the court; it’s an opportunity to come together as a community and as a country to celebrate the great things that can be accomplished with teamwork, dedication, and a shared dream.
America's Most Passionate College Basketball Fans
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NCAA Tournament Sellouts
Half of all NCAA Tournament games at UD Arena were played in front of sold-out crowds (2014-2017)!
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Capacity Crowds
NCAA Tournament games at UD Arena continue to see capacity crowds year after year.
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Record Television Ratings
Year after year, the NCAA First Four in Dayton draws record ratings and a viewership of millions
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Global Publicity & Top-Tier Media
Visits from the United States President, British Prime Minister and Ohio Governor (2012)
America's #1 Host Site: UD Arena
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Consecutive years tipping off March Madness®
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NCAA® Tournament Games
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NCAA® Tournaments Hosted
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Top 35 National Attendance Each Year Since Opening in 1969
Dayton Hoopla Community Events
Hoopla STEM Challenge
Ready to shoot some hoops?
Want to learn something new?
Is tinkering, building and creating something awesome your thing?
The we’ve got just the event for you…
Bring your family to participate in an exciting and FREE basketball and educational event for boys and girls, grades K-8 – Sunday March 11, 2018 at Chaminade-Julienne High School.
Learn moreHoopla Four Miler
Be Part of the Excitement in March as Dayton, Ohio tips-off the Madness!
Learn more2018 NCAA First Four March 13 & 14, 2018
For the 18th consecutive year, the road to the Final Four starts in Dayton, Ohio with the 2018 NCAA® First Four®. Purchase your tickets to experience the Madness live from UD Arena on March 13 & 14.
2018 NCAA First Four Hoopla Ticket Program
The Hoopla Ticket Program provides NCAA Tournament tickets, free-of-charge, military servicemen, military families and local students. The highly successful program donates thousands of tickets annually, surpassing 30,000 tickets donated since 2012 and has garnered the financial support from multiple NBA players and top-tier national sponsors.
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“Just can’t say how enthusiastic, how happy we are to be here in Dayton. One of the best venues for college basketball, the way they celebrate our game each year is really special.”
Jamion Christian, Mount St. May's Head Coach -
“The increased national profile of the First Four has led to increased competition. The First Four absolutely belongs in Dayton and we remain confident our community will continue to deliver capacity crowds and a premier championship experience. The Hoopla Ticket Program for Airmen is incredibly special and successful.”
Neil Sullivan, UD Director of Athletics -
“The people here [Dayton, OH] support college basketball remarkably well, but in a classy way. And I hope the First Four is here forever.”
Joe Lunardi, ESPN Bracketology Expert -
“The Big Hoopla directly supports the Airmen stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the United States Air Force while we work to strengthen the University of Dayton’s position as America’s #1 NCAA tournament host site.”
Jeff Hoagland, Chairman, The Big Hoopla -
“My wife and I were ecstatic to have the chance to attend last year’s First
Four for free. We are avid college basketball followers and look forward to the chance to attend next March!”
Airman First Class Lowe, USAF -
“Dayton is home to America’s #1 host site and America’s most passionate college basketball fans. The region’s commitment to the NCAA Tournament has no equal. This fact seems to further demonstrate Dayton is America’s choice.”
JP Nauseef, Chairman, Local Organizing Committee -
“The NCAA Tournament is big fun for fans and a big economic boost for Ohio. As the home of the tip-off for the tournament for the last 15 years, Dayton has proven it has the people, experience and enthusiasm to put on a world-class effort, and I look forward to seeing it continue to play a big role in future tournaments.”
John R. Kasich, Ohio Governor -
“They’ve got this incredible track record that goes back to the opening round… and the local organizing committee there has just gotten stronger and more committed each and every year. The feedback that we hear from the teams that are participating in First Four is overwhelmingly positive, about the experience that they’re getting, both playing in UD arena in front of a sold out and loud and engaged crowd as well as the hospitality that they experience from the entire Dayton community.”
Dan Gavitt, NCAA Vice President for Men’s Basketball -
“Over the past several years, I have witnessed, first-hand the tremendous impact the Hoopla Ticket Program has on Wright-Patt; there is no better community-led program designed to showcase the young men and women from the United States Air Force. The Dayton region continues to demonstrate national leadership and strengthen their reputation as the model for community-base relationships.”
General Lester L. Lyles, Retired, USAF -
“Thank you to the Hoopla sponsors and the entire Dayton region for all the things you do for Wright-Pat. The community’s support allows the young men and women of the United States Air Force to be part of the NCAA Tournament, experience March Madness, and do so right where the tournament tips-off each year, at UD Arena.”
General T. Michael Moseley, Retired, 18th Chief of Staff, US Air Force
