Pepperdine to Host 2024 NCAA Western Regional at STAPLES Center
Pepperdine University has been awarded host duties for the 2024 West Regional of the
NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament at STAPLES Center, the fifth time in 12
years that the Waves have been entrusted with the event. While Pepperdine partnered
with AEG/STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission for
NCAA West Regionals in 2013, 2015, and 2018, the 2020 NCAA West Regional was canceled
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were very disappointed when we lost the opportunity to put on another West Regional this spring, but we are thankful that the NCAA has recognized our past efforts and allowed us to host the event once again,” said Steve Potts (JD ’82), Pepperdine’s director of athletics. “Our staff and our partnerships with STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission have enabled us to organize three outstanding West Regionals in recent years, and we look forward to doing it again in 2024.”
Lee Zeidman, president of STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater, and L.A. LIVE, said, “STAPLES Center is incredibly honored to host the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship West Regional. This will mark the fifth time we have been awarded this prestigious event alongside our partners at Pepperdine University and we look forward to welcoming the NCAA back to Los Angeles.”
“Hosting the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball West Regional Championship in 2024 is a great addition to the decade of high-profile sports and entertainment events coming to Los Angeles,” said Kathryn Schloessman, president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. “We are excited to partner again with STAPLES Center, AEG and Pepperdine University to welcome this event back to Los Angeles for the fifth time in 12 years.”
The 2013 event, which saw Wichita State advance to the Final Four, was the first time that Los Angeles had hosted NCAA Tournament games since 1994 and the 12th time overall. Wisconsin (2015) and Michigan (2018) followed as West Regional champions.
Los Angeles hosted the Final Four in 1968 and 1972 (UCLA won the title both years); the West Regional in 1966, 1969, 1973, 1976, 1984, and 1994; and early-round games in 1979, 1981, and 1988.
The 2013 competition was the first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament event at STAPLES Center, which opened in 1999. The Los Angeles Sports Arena hosted the two Final Fours and the 1994 NCAA West Regional, while UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion was the site on the other eight occasions.