There's no place like home (court)

With this year’s First Four of the men’s NCAA Tournament complete, 141 tournament games in total have been played at UD Arena, the highest number of March Madness games at any venue in the United States.

Other venues don’t even come close, with the nearest venue having hosted 83 games, the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

Since opening in 1969, UD Arena has held concerts, countless Flyer men’s and women’s basketball games, other NCAA games, high school tournaments and even the circus. But nothing comes close to the hype for the First Four, part of the reason Dayton loves to brag about that 141 number. 

Every year, sports commentators and officials talk about if the teams and fans have grown tired of the same place, but according to this year’s teams, coaches and fans, that’s far from the truth. 

“I told our guys when we came to Dayton, I think about four months ago now, that it would be one of the best atmospheres that they’d ever play in, [with] the people that make up this community,” said Saint Francis University head coach Rob Krimmel at a press conference on Monday. “And we’ve had the fortune to play here twice.” SFU played Nov. 4 in UD’s home season opener.

Dayton is planned as the host location for First Four games until at least 2028. According to several coaches and staffers around the arena this week, their teams are just fine with that. In fact, coming to Dayton seems to be one of the most exciting factors.

When asked what part he was most looking forward to of his upcoming game, Mount St. Mary’s guard Xavier Lipscomb said it was all about the energy and atmosphere in the building. He said:

“Coach Lind has hyped up the Dayton crowd and the Dayton faithful. They love basketball here.”

Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock agreed: “Dayton does a good job of hosting this tournament and making sure that everybody feels welcome. I know the fans will be loud and crazy.”

That sentiment has carried over to the fans here this week as well. 

University of North Carolina fan Doug Brooks has been to the First Four three times. When asked what brings him back again and again, he said it was the energy in the arena. 

“I like the atmosphere, I like the arena,” he said. “It’s unique, it’s smaller and quaint. It feels homey. It’s just nice [to see games here].”

Until next year, Dayton.

Photographs by Maggie Endres '26