KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Sports Commission President and CEO Kathy Nelson admitted to being anxious during a luncheon organized Wednesday morning before the NCAA announced 240 host site locations for upcoming college athletics seasons.
“I was a little anxious that they’re not just going to give Kansas City everything,” Nelson said. “So many cities bid on these championships, so I knew we had our work cut out for us."
The Sports Commission had bid to host 23 events. In the end, the NCAA awarded Kansas City eight championship events over the next three years, including the 2027 Men's Division I Midwest Regional Basketball Tournament.
"It’s very special to have the 2027 NCAA D-I Men’s Basketball Regional at T-Mobile Center," said Jay Cooper, general manager at the T-Mobile Center. "We’ve had so many championships over the years, but we never take it for granted."
The T-Mobile Center previously hosted March Madness games in 2009, 2017 and 2023 and hosted the D-I men's wrestling championships last spring, so it's no stranger to welcoming NCAA championship events.
But CPKC Stadium, which opened in mid-March, has never hosted an NCAA event.
That will change next year when CPKC Stadium, the Kansas City Current's home venue, hosts the D-I women's soccer championship.
"This is exactly the moment in time that we’ve been planning for," said Current President Raven Jemison. "It’s going to be some work, of course, and logistics, yes — but also excellence is what we’re thinking about."
In addition to next year's D-I women's championship, CPKC Stadium will host the 2026 NCAA DII Women’s and Men’s Soccer Championships.
"We are seeing the vision come to life," Jemison said. "This is exactly what we wanted when we thought — when the Longs and the Mahomes (the Current's owners) thought — about what CPKC Stadium was going to be. It was the preeminent venus for ancillary events to come to Kansas City and showcase what this city was about."
The D-I women's soccer championship has never been played in Kansas City before, but Swope Soccer Village hosted the D-II men's and women's championships in 2016 and 2017.
"It’s also a chance to highlight the Soccer Capital of America, right?" Jemison said. "Having it here at CPKC Stadium — both in ‘25 for the women’s soccer championship as well as the ‘26 men’s and women’s soccer championships — this is about what Kansas City is. So, it’s exactly what we’re looking forward to and we hope that this is a foundational opportunity for us to continue to build on."
D-II soccer championships are part of the 2026 D-II Fall Festival, which also includes women's volleyball, women's field hockey and men's and women's cross country.
During the Fall Festival, a total of six NCAA D-II championships will be staged in the Kansas City region with Municipal Auditorium hosting volleyball, Rim Rock Farms in Lawrence hosting cross country and Pembroke Hill hosting field hockey.
"[The] D-II Fall Festival is a massive event," Nelson said. "It’s six different championships plus opening and closing ceremonies, and all those athletes and fans in your community over the course of that time. Coming off the heels of a World Cup, it will be interesting, no doubt, but we’re prepared."
Kansas City had previously been awarded the 2025 NCAA D-I Women's Volleyball Championships, which will take place at the T-Mobile Center.
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KSHB 41 reporter Tod Palmer covers sports business and eastern Jackson County. Share your story idea with Tod.
