|The Tampa Bay area, which has served as the backdrop for March Madness in many variations over the years, will keep doing so into the back end of the decade.

Less than two months after the Women’s Final Four was staged at Amalie Arena , the American Athletic Conference has announced the Yuengling Center on USF’s campus will serve as host of its 2027 and 2028 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

The announcement assures Tampa of four consecutive years of March Madness — in some iteration. Amalie will serve as a first- and second-round site of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament, followed by the AAC tourneys the ensuing two seasons.

The AAC tournaments have been held in Fort Worth, Texas, the last several seasons. The 2026 events will be held in Birmingham, Alabama.

“We are thrilled t

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