The University of Portland has been announced as the host institution for the 2030 Division I NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, as announced by the NCAA this morning. The University of Portland will host the event in partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter, Sport Oregon and Travel Portland.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as institutional host on this successful bid to bring the 2030 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four to Portland,” University of Portland Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam said. “The University of Portland is home to women’s athletic programs that were at the forefront of the growth of women’s sports in our great city and state and this is a great way for us to continue that legacy. We couldn’t ask for a better set of partners than Sport Oregon, the Portland Trail Blazers/Rose Quarter, the City of Portland and Travel Portland as we begin official preparations on an event that will leave a legacy – both in the local sports world and our community at large – for many years to come.”
In 2019, the City of Portland hosted one of the most successful NCAA Women’s Basketball Regionals in history, and were set to do the same in 2020 before the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. While Oregon State University served as the host institution for those events, the University of Portland will act as the host school for the Portland Women’s Final Four.
“I am thrilled that the Rose City will be home to the Women’s Basketball Final Four in 2030, and that the University of Portland will serve as the event’s institutional host,” said UP President Dr. Robert D. Kelly. “Here in Portland, we are passionate about women’s sports and we can’t wait to showcase and celebrate the finest women’s basketball programs in the country. I am deeply grateful for our partners at the City of Portland, Rose Quarter and Portland Trail Blazers, Travel Portland, and Sport Oregon, and I know that we’ll stage an extraordinary event in 2030.”
“This is a great day for women’s basketball in the state of Oregon and the city of Portland,” University of Portland women’s basketball head coach Michael Meek said. Meek is one of the most accomplished basketball coaches in the history of the state with highly successful tenures at Southridge High School and George Fox University before joining UP. “Our state basketball community will provide tremendous support for this event and leave a legacy that will impact girl’s and women’s basketball players in Oregon for years to come.”
The bidding group has worked for the bulk of this year on making their pitch to the NCAA. Representatives from the NCAA and Women’s Basketball Committee were in Portland in September for the official site tour, and had a chance to analyze critical venues, and meet several stakeholders in the community. The bidding group’s final presentation to the NCAA was held November 16th in Dallas.
“To say we are excited is a massive understatement – this is a huge win for our community and our bid partners,” said Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel. “It is a testament to the culture and passion of women’s basketball fans in Oregon. We are deeply appreciative of the Women’s Basketball Committee and the NCAA for choosing Portland, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we already know, that this is the best place in the world for women’s athletics.”
Now, Moda Center and the overall the Rose Quarter will serve as the epicenter of women’s basketball in 2030.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to hold the NCAA Women's Final Four in Portland at the Rose Quarter in 2030,” said Chris Oxley, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “The success of the women’s regional in 2019 held at Moda Center, last year’s men’s tournament, and the continued success of other collegiate basketball events on our campus is a testament to the passionate basketball fans that make up our community. We’re thrilled to continue bringing high level women’s basketball to Portland.”
A Women’s Final Four will be an economic boon for the Portland hospitality community, as the WBCA Coaches Convention will also make Portland its home over the same weekend. Between the WBCA and the Women’s Final Four, an estimated 11,000 hotel rooms will be utilized for the overall event between downtown and the Lloyd District.
“It is with immense pleasure and pride that Travel Portland celebrates the NCAA’s Women’s Final Four coming to Portland,” said Jeff Miller, President & CEO of Travel Portland. “With over 50 years of supporting women’s athletics, there is not another city in the country that will embrace this event and what it stands for more than Portland. Travel Portland - along with our partners - enthusiastically looks forward to welcoming the world of women’s basketball to our inclusive, diverse and women’s-sports-loving city.”
The Oregon Convention Center will host the WBCA Coaches Convention, along with Tourney Town, a free public fan festival for basketball fans. Several other events will be held around Final Four weekend throughout the city, along with legacy-building community opportunities in the years prior. An official Local Organizing Committee will also be developed, inclusive of the bidding organizations. Portland was among seven finalist cities for the five open years of hosting.
Outside of Portland, the other winning host cities were Columbus, Ohio (2027), Indianapolis, Indiana (2028), San Antonio, Texas (2029) and Dallas, Texas (2031).
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