I'm not sure anyone noticed, but it was announced yesterday that the Final Four is returning to NRG Stadium in 2023.

I had an opportunity to see what goes in to these bids and I think following the site observation visit a couple of weeks ago everyone felt good about Houston's chances. The City, NRG and the Houston bid committee did a tremendous job of making the presentation given the hurdles and interruptions involved (the death and funeral of Mike Slive postponed the original site visit, etc).

The City has done a tremendous job using the income from the previous Final Four(s) and the bid presentation was well coordinated and very impressive. The Mayor appeared at the presentation and made a great, short speech.

The City has more to offer now than when the previous Final Four was awarded and I think we'll see more NCAA Events in the City.

Great news!

(07-17-2018 09:07 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  The City has more to offer now than when the previous Final Four was awarded and I think we'll see more NCAA Events in the City.

Agreed. I think Houston also demonstrated that it is more than well equipped to handle such events after the Superbowl last year.

The sheer explosion of hotel rooms in the last 5 years is a game changer. I remember flying down to Houston for work soon after I graduated and not being able to find a place to stay in a reasonable location. (also the proliferation of airbnb has helped too)

Next let’s get the lacrosse final four!

Believe it or not, there was a discussion with the site observation committee as to the various NCAA events that might be available. There is virtually simultaneous bidding on 82 annual NCAA Championships. Some of the events would not be good targets for Houston (i.e. almost any D-III event with certain exceptions) but there are numerous other events available. Houston hosted the D-I Men's Soccer Championship a couple of years ago that was very well received. I would think D-I Women's Soccer would be a possibility.

There aren't many college lacrosse programs in the vicinity of Houston, so that might be a stretch.

Houston's improved infrastructure, additional hotels, adequate airline access and climate are all very positive factors

(07-17-2018 09:07 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  I'm not sure anyone noticed, but it was announced yesterday that the Final Four is returning to NRG Stadium in 2023.

I had an opportunity to see what goes in to these bids and I think following the site observation visit a couple of weeks ago everyone felt good about Houston's chances. The City, NRG and the Houston bid committee did a tremendous job of making the presentation given the hurdles and interruptions involved (the death and funeral of Mike Slive postponed the original site visit, etc).

The City has done a tremendous job using the income from the previous Final Four(s) and the bid presentation was well coordinated and very impressive. The Mayor appeared at the presentation and made a great, short speech.

The City has more to offer now than when the previous Final Four was awarded and I think we'll see more NCAA Events in the City.

the City ??

Try Harris County

It's not athletics but I believe Houston is one of the final three choices for the 2020 DNC (along with Milwaukee and Miami?). Supposedly Milwaukee doesn't have the hotel rooms but they might be the #1 choice. I'd be shocked if we host that convention but that would probably be a bigger deal financially for the city than the Final Four?