March Madness returns to Oklahoma City for the first time since 2016

NCAA men’s basketball tournament games are returning to downtown Oklahoma City this week, marking the first time since 2016 that the city has hosted March Madness matchups.

Paycom Center will welcome eight college programs and their fan bases for first- and second-round games Thursday and Saturday, bringing national attention and increased activity to the urban core during one of the biggest events on the sports calendar.

Teams traveling to Oklahoma City include Houston, led by former University of Oklahoma head coach Kelvin Sampson, along with Nebraska, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Saint Mary’s, McNeese, Troy and Idaho. Opening-round games will be played throughout the day Thursday, with winning teams returning Saturday to compete for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.

The return of March Madness is expected to generate a noticeable boost for downtown hotels, restaurants and entertainment districts as visitors spend the weekend in the city. Large-scale sporting events often create increased foot traffic across Bricktown and surrounding areas, contributing to tourism activity and local business momentum.

Hosting tournament games also highlights how Oklahoma City’s sports and event landscape has evolved over the past decade. Since last welcoming March Madness, the metro has continued to invest in venues, infrastructure and destination development, helping attract national competitions across collegiate and professional sports.

For residents, the tournament offers another opportunity to experience high-profile events close to home. For visitors, it provides a chance to see firsthand the growth and energy that have shaped downtown Oklahoma City in recent years.