The NCAA has approved championship hosting agreements for Division I men's and women's soccer through 2028 and Division II baseball through 2038 in Cary, North Carolina; Division I men's and women's tennis in Orlando, Florida, through 2037; and National Collegiate beach volleyball in Gulf Shores, Alabama, through 2031. Each site has made significant commitments to capital improvements and additional financial investment to enable these championships to extend their stay in the respective communities and venues.
"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. We feel the efficiency of scale that can be realized with these long-term commitments between the NCAA and our hosts provides an opportunity for more enhancement of these championships, leading to an increased student-athlete and fan experience moving forward."
The agreement in Cary will see the Division II Baseball Championship finals remain through the 2037-38 championship season, while the Men's and Women's College Cups will remain through the 2028-29 season, with ongoing discussions about lengthening the soccer agreement in the future. In an October site selection release, the NCAA announced that both College Cups will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2026 and 2027. As part of this new agreement, 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.
Facility upgrades, increased marketing efforts, and substantial event enhancements to deliver quality championships for student-athletes and fans are included in the agreement.
"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. "It is both exciting and meaningful to share this milestone announcement alongside our esteemed partners, including the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, the University of Mount Olive and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 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."
Since 2003, Cary has hosted a College Cup 19 times, 11 times for the women and eight times for the men, and has upcoming hosting duties for 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. North Carolina will serve as the host school for the Men's and Women's College Cup, while Mount Olive will remain in its role as the host for Division II baseball. In addition, the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance will continue local host support for all three championships.
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 2027-28 season through 2036-37. The USTA National Campus will host all 10 men's and women's team championships in the spring and will include the individual singles and doubles championships if they move back to the spring after the current fall pilot program. The site would also be an option for singles and doubles championships if the pilot program to hold those championships in the fall becomes permanent.
The USTA is building six additional indoor courts with seating and constructing additional spectator seating for the existing six indoor courts, while adding shade structures at the 12 outdoor competition courts. An additional capital improvement is for improved scoreboards for all competition courts, including live scoring and broadcast integration. The USTA also will be making an enhanced financial commitment to the championships, including supplementing existing broadcast agreements and increased fan and community engagement. With the proposed improvements, the USTA National Campus will be the only facility with all 12 outdoor competition courts, 20 practice courts and 12 total indoor courts at one site.
"This is a momentous day for the USTA and for college tennis," said Lew Sherr, CEO 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 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.
The National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship will have a five-year agreement to return to Gulf Shores, Alabama, from 2027 to 2031. Capital improvements include the addition of spectator stadium seating and additional hospitality space, with continued support and upgrades to the television compound. Alabama's Beaches Sports & Events also has committed to enhancing marketing resources and elevating the student-athlete experience.
"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 CEO 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."
Gulf Shores hosted the first eight National Collegiate Beach Volleyball 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.
