Fort Worth's Dickies Arena announced it will host the American Athletic Men's Basketball Championship from 2020 to 2022, though it is currently under construction.
American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said the conference is "delighted to partner with the city of Fort Worth and Dickies Arena."
The twelve team conference will have a four-round tournament to crown its champion, which decides what team gets the automatic bid for the NCAA tournament.
Commissioner Aresco was pleased the tournament would be held in "a vibrant, sports-minded community, that embraces major events and extends wonderful hospitality."
"We look forward to working with Matt Homan, President and General Manager of Multipurpose Arena Fort Worth, and Bob Jameson, President and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and thank them for their support and vision, which will make this an extremely successful event."
Scheduled to open in November 2019, Dickies Arena has been announced as the host of other national events. In addition to becoming the new home of the Fort Worth Stock Show rodeo performances, Dickies Arena will host the NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Round games in 2022 and the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships from 2020 to 2022.
"Earning the opportunity to host the American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship in addition to major NCAA wins earlier this year shows that we have quickly become a player on the national event scene," said Matt Homan, president and general manager of Multipurpose Arena Fort Worth (MAFW), the not-for-profit operating entity of Dickies Arena. "We look forward to welcoming The American and its member institutions, as well as their student athletes, alumni and fans to Fort Worth and to showcasing our incredible facility and city."
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The successful bid was due to a partnership between MAFW and the Fort Worth Convention & Visitor's Bureau.
"Fort Worth takes great pride in hosting world-class sporting events, and we are excited about the AAC's decision," said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With the new Dickies Arena and our nationally recognized downtown, we are confident AAC student-athletes and fans will enjoy the championship atmosphere Fort Worth provides."
The Amway Center in Orlando will be the site of the 2018 American Men's Basketball Championship, March 8-11; FedExForum in Memphis will host the 2019 championship, March 14-17.
