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Kansas could have a golden opportunity to play in the Final Four just down the road in the future

Kansas City has been named a finalist to host future Final Fours.
ByEricka Brockish
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Oct 20, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas coach Bill Self is interviewed during the Big 12 Media Days event at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas coach Bill Self is interviewed during the Big 12 Media Days event at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The March Madness selection show almost feels like a formality for the Kansas Jayhawks, especially during the Bill Self and Roy Williams eras. The Jayhawks have made 36 consecutive NCAA Tournaments dating back to 1990, and in a few years, they might finally get to play in the Final Four extremely close to home.

The NCAA is currently in the midst of deciding which cities will host future Final Fours, and Kansas City just became a finalist for the 2032-2036 hosting duties. The host city of the Big 12 Tournament is one of seven finalists to bring the Final Four home, and the Jayhawks have to be ecstatic about it.

The seven finalists are as followes:

  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Kansas City
  • New Orleans
  • Indianapolis
  • Nashville
  • Las Vegas

This could have Kansas play just about an hour away from home if they make the Final Four, which is a huge advantage for a team, especially that late in the tournament. The Jayhawks are also very familiar with playing in Kansas City, having neutral-site games against Kansas State and Missouri and in the Big 12 Tournament.

The Jayhawks need some help from the Kansas City Chiefs for a Final Four in Kansas City

In order for Kansas City to be a host city for the Final Four, they will need some help from their local NFL team. While the T-Mobile Center has been the site of the Big 12 Tournament and other neutral-site games the Jayhawks have played in, the max capacity is only 20,000, which is not nearly enough for a Final Four host.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been approved to build a new domed stadium on the Kansas side of Kansas City, which would host the Final Four. However, in order to host, the stadium needs to be finished, which is going to play a big part in whether Kansas City is selected or not.

Kansas has faired well when playing in Kansas City

When it comes to the Big 12 Tournament, the Jayhawks are 51-16 overall, with most of those games being played in Kansas City. Kansas has also won 12 Big 12 Championships, with many of them coming just an hour away in Kansas City.

Even though Kansas and Kansas State typically play a home-and-home series every season, traveling about an hour to Bramlage Coliseum and Allen Fieldhouse, there have been a few neutral-site matchups in Kansas City as well. The Jayhawks again lead the series in Kansas City 27-11. So, Kansas is very comfortable playing so close to home in Kansas City, no matter the opponent.

If Kansas City were selected, it might be deemed a neutral site for the Jayhawks if they make it to the Final Four, but let's face it, it is a home game for Kansas, with basketball fans easily making that drive to support their team.

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