March Madness coming to Wachovia Center in 2013

The Men's Basketball Committee wanted to make the 75th NCAA Tournament special, so it made certain to award dates to cities that have a long history with the tournament.

So Philadelphia, which has hosted the NCAAs in the Palestra, Spectrum and Wachovia Center a total of 26 times (second only to Kansas City's 28), will host first- and second-round games in 2013 on March 22 (Friday) and March 24 (Sunday). The six games (four Friday, two Sunday) will be at the Wachovia Center.

This past March, Villanova, on the way to the Final Four, won its first two NCAA games at the Wachovia Center. Saint Joseph's was the host. Temple will be the host in 2013 as it was in 1992 for the East Regional (remember Duke-Kentucky and Christian Laettner) and the Final Four in 1976 and 1981, all at the Spectrum.

"Temple University is happy to partner with the Wachovia Center to bring the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships to Philadelphia," Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw said. "Temple and the city of Philadelphia own a rich tradition of hosting high-caliber athletic events and this championship continues that practice."

This will be the Wachovia Center's fifth time as host for an NCAA basketball event. The 2001 East Regional and the 2006 first and second rounds were there, as was the 2000 Women's Final Four.

"This awarding of the NCAA Tournament games at the Wachovia Center for 2013 is a true testament to the great college basketball fans we have here in the Greater Philadelphia Region who support the area's college basketball programs," said Comcast-Spectacor president Peter Luukko. "It's also a special honor for us that the Wachovia Center has quickly become an important venue for the NCAA to showcase men's basketball right here in Philadelphia."

The impact of the tournament, of course, goes way beyond the games in South Philly.

"Philadelphia is delighted to once again host the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in 2013," Philadelphia Sports Congress executive director Larry Needle said. "In March, we hosted three sellout sessions at the Wachovia Center, and the NCAA obviously felt great about all that Philadelphia has to offer. We estimate that the event will generate nearly 5,000 hotel-room nights and an economic impact of almost $10 million for the region, not to mention tremendous national exposure."

The NCAA yesterday named the pre-Final Four sites for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Final Fours for those years already had been awarded. Newark's Prudential Center will be the site of regional semifinals and final in 2011.

In 2013, eight cities that have hosted Final Fours will host games. In addition to Philadelphia, that list includes Kansas City, Lexington, Ky. (where Villanova won the 1985 title), Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Dallas (the Cowboys' new stadium) and Atlanta (site of the 2013 Final Four).

"It's no accident that cities that have been part of this championship were selected to return in 2013," said Dan Guerrero, UCLA athletic director and chairman of the selection committee. "The 2013 championship will be a nationwide celebration of March Madness, its tremendous history and the fan following of one of the world's best sporting events."