INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The NCAA Tournament is making an unscheduled return to Indianapolis in 2022.
The NCAA announced Wednesday the men's basketball tournament would play first and second round games in the 2022 tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The games were originally scheduled to be played in Cincinnati, but were moved "to allow more time for the newly-renamed Heritage Bank Center to complete current and future planned renovations."
The games in Cincinnati were scheduled to take place March 17 and 19, 2022. The NCAA said Cincinnati will be given the chance to bid on future NCAA Tournament rounds.
The tournament's Midwest Regional, also known as the "Sweet Sixteen" and "Elite Eight" rounds, are being played in Indianapolis March 26 and 28, 2020. The Final Four returns to the Circle City in 2021, making Indianapolis a host city for three consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
The Final Four is also scheduled to be played in Indianapolis in 2026.
