The NCAA announced the finalists Oct. 27. The other contenders are Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas and New Orleans. The association expects to select the host cities in July 2027; a year for Nashville has not been determined.

The new Nissan Stadium is scheduled to open in February 2027. The NCAA has held the men’s Final Four in domed football or multipurpose stadiums since 1998, making the planned venue a key part of Nashville’s bid.

Scott Ramsey, president of the Nashville Sports Council, said the city’s history hosting college basketball events and the stadium’s seating capacity support its candidacy. Nashville has hosted the Women’s Final Four, at Bridgestone Arena in 2014, and has secured NCAA men’s tournament first- and second-round games through 2035. The city also hosts the Southeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament.

Ramsey pointed to Nashville’s compact downtown as another potential advantage: the stadium is across the river from hotels and entertainment areas, which he said could ease transportation and event operations for fans, teams and media. The city’s central location and typically mild weather were also cited as strengths.

Nashville has never hosted the men’s Final Four. If selected, it would join a group of cities competing to stage one of college basketball’s largest events during the five-year hosting window.