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Louisville has a rich history of hosting NCAA tournaments, including the March Madness men's basketball tournament. The city has been selected to host over 100 NCAA Championships between 2022 and 2026, including the 2023 Men's Basketball Regional from March 24 to 26. Louisville has previously hosted the Metro Conference tournament and the NCAA tournament at Freedom Hall, which has been the site of many memorable basketball moments, including Adolph Rupp's last national championship for Kentucky and Louisville native Muhammad Ali's first professional fight. The city has also been home to the Louisville Cardinals, who have played several entertaining and rarely beaten teams at Freedom Hall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NCAA Tournament Appearances | 42 |
| Number of NIT Appearances | 15 |
| Number of Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 21 |
| Number of Elite Eight Appearances | 14 |
| Number of Final Four Appearances | 3 |
| Official Number of National Championships | 2 |
| Unofficial Number of National Championships | 3 |
| Number of Consecutive Winning Seasons (1944-1990) | 46 |
| Number of 20-Win Seasons (1944-1990) | 31 |
| All-Time Wins | 1778 |
| All-Time Losses | 892 |
| Number of Seasons Played | 102 |
| NCAA Ranking in All-Time Victories | 10th |
| NCAA Ranking in All-Time Winning Percentage | 7th |
| Number of Years Since Last Appearance in March Madness | 6 |
| Seed in 2025 NCAA Tournament Projections | 4-8 |
| Coach | Pat Kelsey |
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What You'll Learn
Louisville hosted the 2023 Men's Basketball Regional in March
The University of Louisville hosted the 2023 Men's Basketball Regional in March. The KFC Yum! Center was the host venue for the South Regional of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The event took place from March 24 to 26, 2023. The general public all-session tickets were sold out, but tickets could still be purchased through the NCAA Fan Experience, NCAA All-Access Experience, and NCAA Ticket Exchange. The NCAA All-Access Experience offered fans unprecedented access to March Madness, including hospitality, a behind-the-scenes venue tour, and an on-court photo opportunity.
The Louisville Cardinals, also known as the Cards, had a strong season leading up to the tournament. They were ranked 13th, with a record of 24-6, and 17-2 in the ACC. Their first-year head coach, Pat Kelsey, positioned them to receive a favourable seed for the tournament. According to BracketMatrix, they averaged out to a six seed. Louisville's performance in different quadrants also contributed to their positive outlook for the tournament. They were 4-6 in Quad 1 games, 11-1 in Quad 2 games, and a perfect 12-0 in Quads 3 and 4.
Louisville's men's basketball team has a dedicated fan base, and their regular-season finale offered fans the chance to celebrate the team's achievements. Despite a successful rout of California, they remained 25th in the NET rankings. Their Wins Above Bubble (WAB) score reflected their standing relative to other teams, as it measures how much better a team is than those barely making or missing the tournament. Louisville's WAB score was 20, indicating they were well above the bubble.
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Louisville's Freedom Hall hosted the NCAA tournament in 1987 and 1991
Louisville's Freedom Hall, a multi-purpose indoor arena, hosted the NCAA tournament in 1987 and 1991. The arena, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is known for hosting a variety of events, including basketball games, concerts, and political rallies.
Freedom Hall played a significant role in the 1987 and 1991 NCAA tournaments, marking important milestones in the careers of several notable coaches and players. In the 1987 regional tournament, Rick Pitino earned his first Final Four trip, coaching Providence to an upset victory over Georgetown. This game also featured Billy Donovan, who made an impressive 16 of 18 free throws. Both Pitino and Donovan would go on to coach future national champions, showcasing the talent on display at Freedom Hall.
In 1991, the arena served as the launching pad for Roy Williams' first Final Four trip. Kansas' success in the tournament began at Freedom Hall, highlighting the arena's role in shaping basketball history. These tournaments were among the last major NCAA events hosted at Freedom Hall before the buzz of March Madness moved elsewhere.
Freedom Hall has a rich basketball history beyond the NCAA tournaments it hosted. It was the home of the University of Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team from 1956 to 2010 and the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association from 1970 to 1976. The arena also hosted the Louisville Cardinals women's team from its inception in 1975 until 2010.
Today, Freedom Hall continues to be utilized for various events, but the focus has shifted away from major basketball tournaments. The NCAA tournament has returned to Louisville, but it is now held at the KFC Yum! Center, leaving Freedom Hall with memories of its past glory.
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Louisville Cardinals played at Freedom Hall
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team played at Freedom Hall from 1956 until 2010. The arena was located on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center, owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board. The team's first game at Freedom Hall took place on December 21, 1956, against Notre Dame, with the Cardinals winning 85-75 in front of 13,756 fans.
Freedom Hall was not only the home of the Louisville Cardinals men's team but also the women's team from its inception in 1975 until 2010. The arena also hosted the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association from 1970 until the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. In addition to basketball, Freedom Hall has hosted various other sporting events, concerts, and conventions.
The University of Louisville men's basketball team played their final game at Freedom Hall on March 6, 2010, against Syracuse University, the #1 ranked team in the nation. The Cardinals won this game 78-68 in front of a record crowd of 20,135 fans. This victory marked the end of an era, as the team moved to a new home arena.
The Louisville Cardinals have a rich history in college basketball, with two official NCAA championships (1980 and 1986) and eight Final Four appearances. The team has produced notable players such as Russ Smith, the Cardinals' all-time steals leader, and Wes Unseld, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Cardinals have a long-standing rivalry with the Kentucky Wildcats, adding to the excitement and intensity of their games.
In recent years, the Louisville Cardinals have continued to be a force in college basketball. In 2025, the team was well-positioned to receive a favourable seed for the NCAA Tournament, with a strong record in Quad 2 games. The Cardinals have a passionate fan base that adores the senior class for reviving the program's success.
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Louisville hosted the Metro Conference tournament
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA, with several conference changes and numerous tournament appearances. The team has experienced success across different conferences, including the Metro Conference, which is the focus of this discussion.
The Metro Conference men's basketball tournament was an annual event held between 1976 and 1996. Louisville, a prominent member of this conference, hosted the tournament during their time in it, which was from 1975-76 to 1994-95. This tournament guaranteed the winner a spot in the NCAA basketball tournament, making it a highly anticipated event.
During their time in the Metro Conference, the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team achieved notable successes. They officially won two NCAA championships, in 1980 and 1986, and have a rich history in the tournament. The team has made 39 official NCAA tournament appearances, with 61 tournament wins, and eight Final Four appearances.
The Cardinals' success in the Metro Conference and beyond can be attributed to strong coaching and talented players. Bernard "Peck" Hickman, the head coach for 23 seasons, led the team to its first national championship in 1948 by winning the NAIB tournament. The team's success continued under Hickman, with a string of winning seasons and appearances in the NCAA and NIT tournaments.
In summary, Louisville's hosting of the Metro Conference tournament aligns with their long-standing basketball tradition. The Cardinals have experienced success in various conferences, including the Metro Conference, where their achievements contributed to their legacy in college basketball.
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Louisville hosted the 2023 NCAA tournament
Louisville, Kentucky, hosted the South region of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, also known as March Madness. The tournament is one of the largest postseasons in American sports, with 68 teams taking part. It is also one of the most logistically challenging postseasons to organise, as it must be held across four different regions, more than a dozen host cities, and nearly as many states.
The 2023 tournament was hosted across the continental US, with teams from the West heading to Las Vegas, the East to New York, the Midwest to Kansas City, and the South to Louisville. The tournament then converged for the Final Four round, which was held in Houston's NRG Stadium—home of the NFL's Texans franchise.
The First Four round of the tournament was played at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio—the traditional site for this round and the home court of Dayton's men's basketball team. Eight host cities hosted the opening two rounds, spanning throughout the East, Midwest, Northeast, South, and West.
After the opening weekend, the remaining 16 teams headed to their respective region host sites for the regional semifinal and final rounds. Louisville hosted the South region for the 2023 tournament, welcoming some of the top teams in the region to play for a place in the Final Four.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Louisville is hosting the 2023 Men's Basketball Regional Championship from March 24 to 26 at the KFC Yum! Center.
Yes, Louisville has hosted the Championship multiple times before. Freedom Hall, which was the previous host venue, last hosted the Championship in 1991 for the first and second rounds.
Freedom Hall is a significant venue in the history of basketball in Louisville. It has hosted many memorable basketball moments, including Adolph Rupp's last national championship for Kentucky and Cincinnati's bid for a three-peat national championship in 1956.
Yes, tickets are available for purchase on the official NCAA website.
