The concrete has been poured for the Little Caesars Arena ice surface. (Image from the District Detroit media center)

Future Frozen Four locations announced; Detroit to host in 2020

The concrete has been poured for the Little Caesars Arena ice surface. (Image from the District Detroit media center)


By @MichaelCaples –

The NCAA has announced the locations for its future Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey Tournaments, and, as rumored, Detroit will be hosting a Frozen Four at the new state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena.

The LCA will host the 2020 NCAA Frozen Four, one of the first major events to come through Detroit after the doors to the new building officially open in September.

Michigan State and the Detroit Sports Commission will serve as hosts for the 2020 Frozen Four on April 9-11, 2020.

Buffalo will host the Frozen Four in 2019, Pittsburgh will host in 2021, and Boston will host in 2022.

Little Caesars Arena will also be the host of March Madness opening-round college basketball in 2018 and 2021, and host of the 2022 Division I Wrestling Championships.

“Being selected by the NCAA is yet another piece of evidence pointing to the attractiveness of Detroit and the success of the city’s rebirth,” said Olympia Entertainment president and CEO Tom Wilson. “The combination of sports, music, stores, new restaurants, residential, office and ongoing development in the region makes Detroit a perfect destination for NCAA fans.

“The confidence the NCAA has shown in the Ilitch organization, Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Sports Commission and our partners at University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan State University, Oakland University and the University of Michigan is tremendous,” Wilson continued. “Our goal was always to bring Detroit to the forefront of national and international audiences, through our artists as well as our athletes, coaches and fans. We are thrilled to make good on our promise to provide a first-class sports and entertainment venue that surpasses all expectations. We’re proud to work with the Detroit Sports Commission and each of these prestigious schools to host the events, and look forward to showcasing Detroit on a national and international scale.”

Next year’s NCAA regional tournaments will be in the following locations (host team – city, state – venue):

  • North Dakota – Sioux Falls, S.D. – PREMIER Center
  • Holy Cross – Worchester, MA – DCU Center
  • Fairfield and Yale – Bridgeport, CT – Webster Bank Arena
  • Penn State – Allentown, PA – PPL Center

And the 2019 regionals:

  • Penn State – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
  • North Dakota – Fargo, ND – Scheels Center
  • New Hampshire – Manchester, NH – SNHU Arena
  • Brown – Providence, RI – Dunkin’ Donuts Arena