New York, NY, October 14, 2020 – The NCAA today announced that The World’s Most Famous Arena will, once again, host the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional Championship in March of 2023. In partnership with the BIG EAST Conference and St. John’s University, The Garden will host the 2023 event, marking the fourth time the Arena has been selected to host since the NCAA Tournament’s return to New York City in 2014 after a 53-year hiatus.
“We are honored that the NCAA has chosen to bring the Tournament back to The World’s Most Famous Arena in 2023,” said Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events and Operations, MSG Entertainment. “Madison Square Garden has hosted the biggest events in sports and entertainment, including the very best in college basketball for over 85 years. The return of the NCAA Regional Final in 2023 will add another chapter to The Garden’s illustrious history.”
The NCAA Tournament returned to Madison Square Garden in 2014 for the East Regional Finals, the first NCAA Tournament games held at MSG since 1961. Sellout crowds packed the Arena, as the University of Connecticut came out on top and went on to win a National Championship. The Tournament returned to MSG in 2017, where the University of South Carolina beat out the Florida Gators to claim the East Regional Final title, setting up the University’s first appearance in the NCAA Final Four. The 2023 East Regional Finals will mark the 19th time the NCAA Tournament will be hosted by The Garden.