The 2020 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held with “only essential staff and limited family attendance” due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, NCAA president Mark Emmert announced Wednesday.
The decision means March Madness will be played without fans in the stands, making it the biggest sporting event in the U.S. yet to take the precaution of restricting fans from attendance.
“I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance,” Emmert said in a statement.
NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: https://t.co/TIHHJjdse5 pic.twitter.com/8I1HdceDfN
— NCAA (@NCAA) March 11, 2020
With authorities now emphasizing social distancing practices to limit the spread of the coronavirus, many sporting events across the U.S. have been postponed or canceled. Major sports leagues like the NBA, NHL and MLB have also restricted locker room and clubhouse access to media, although none have taken the major step of announcing fans could no longer attend games.
“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert said. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes.”
The men’s bracket for this year’s NCAA tournament is set to be announced this Sunday before the First Four matchups are played in Dayton, Ohio, on March 17-18. The Final Four is set to be hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The women’s bracket will be announced Monday, while the Women’s Final Four is set to be held in New Orleans.
Earlier on Wednesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced an official ban on spectators attending indoor sporting events. Cleveland is also set to host first- and second-round games this month.
