The Final 4 is coming back to New Orleans. The NCAA Wednesday announced that the Superdome will be the site of the men's college basketball championship in 2012.
It will be the fifth Final 4 played at the Superdome, nine years after last hosting it in 2003. Mike Slive with the NCAA said the selection committee is impressed with the area's recovery.
"They've made a powerful statement that New Orleans is back. There's significant improvements to the Superdome," Slive said. "They have a proven track record...it's a fan favorite, downtown hotels."
SEC Commissioner and NCAA Basketball Committee chairman Mike Slive talks about the selection of New Orleans for the 2012 Final 4:
New Orleans will also host the Women's Final 4 the following year. Those games will be played at the New Orleans Arena.
The NCAA Wednesday also announced the host sites for 2013 through 2016:
2013: Atlanta, Georgia Dome
2014: North Texas (Arlington/Dallas/Ft. Worth), Cowboys Stadium
2015: Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium
2016: Houston, Reliant Stadium