NCAA AWARDS BUDWEISER EVENTS CENTER AT THE RANCH DI MEN’S ICE HOCKEY WEST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR 2022 AND 2026
(Loveland, CO) – The Blue Arena at The Ranch in Loveland, CO has been awarded the NCAA DI Men’s Ice Hockey West Regional Tournament for 2022 and 2026.
The University of Denver and the Blue Arena at The Ranch will host the following championships:
2021 DIVISION I MEN’S ICE HOCKEY WEST REGIONAL
2022 DIVISION I MEN’S ICE HOCKEY WEST REGIONAL
2026 DIVISION I MEN’S ICE HOCKEY WEST REGIONAL
This is the third time for this specific NCAA championship bid process, which created the largest host site announcement ever, spanning 86 championships across a four-year cycle. Previously, selection announcements varied by sport. This process now gives the NCAA and host sites more time to plan each championship experience.
Bidding for 86 of the 90 NCAA championships began in August 2019 and more than 3,000 bid applications were ultimately submitted. Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in more than 400 total championship event sites being awarded. More than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships each year.
“We’re honored that the NCAA would choose to award us two additional NCAA DI Men’s Ice Hockey West Regional tournaments for both 2022 and 2026. It speaks volumes about the hard work of Denver University, the Colorado Eagles, and the Blue Arena staff that we have been selected to host four of these championships over the course of the next seven years,” said Keller Taylor, Spectra District General Manager of the Blue Arena at The Ranch. “We understand the position hosting a world class event like this offers us, and we’re extremely grateful.”
The award of the West Regional tournaments would not have been possible without the support and commitment of Denver University. “It is an honor to continue our partnership with our friends at the Blue Arena to make Loveland, Colorado, a home for a regional in now three of the next six years,” Deputy Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Excellence Lynn Coutts said. “We developed a strong relationship with the Colorado Eagles and the Blue Arena staff throughout the planning process last year and we look forward to bringing this national event back to the region.”
As a partner and tenant of the Blue Arena at The Ranch, the Colorado Eagles of the AHL have played a critical role in the culture and support of hockey in Northern Colorado. “We were all very excited to host the NCAA tournament in 2020, but after its subsequent cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is extremely rewarding to now have this terrific event returning to the Blue Arena,” said Eagles President and General Manager Chris Stewart. “Hosting this tournament is a true honor and the passionate support of our fans and the terrific work by the facility’s staff have helped in making that a reality.”
The City of Loveland and Larimer County also played a crucial role in the procurement of the NCAA tournaments. “Visit Loveland is beyond thrilled to receive the news that both the 2022 and 2026 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey West regional tournament will be held right here in Loveland, Colorado,” said Cindy Mackin, City of Loveland Visitor’s Service Manager. “We are excited to partner with the Blue Arena at The Ranch on bringing this amazing event here to Northern Colorado and look forward to welcoming everyone to Loveland.”
Campus Director at The Ranch Events Complex, Chris Ashby, is excited to host an event of this caliber on the campus. “The award of these tournaments to The Ranch and the Blue Arena reflects the dedication of our staff, the University of Denver, the Colorado Eagles and our local partners. We’re proud to host a collegiate competition of this level and look forward to the opportunity it will most certainly bring our community.”
For more information on the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championships, visit ncaa.com/frozenfour.