MALIBU, Calif. –  For the sixth time since 2013, Pepperdine has been awarded host duties for the 2027 West Regional of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Crypto.com Arena, as announced by the NCAA on Wednesday.
 
"We are so grateful to all parties involved in this selection," Pepperdine Athletic Director Tanner Gardner said. "Partnering once again with Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) and AEG in 2024 proved to create an outstanding event and we can't wait to have the opportunity to host and feature Los Angeles again in three years."
 
Pepperdine partnered with Crypto.com Arena and LASEC for previous NCAA West Regionals in 2013, 2015, 2018 and, most recently, 2024. The 2020 NCAA West Regional was also scheduled to be played in Los Angeles and hosted by Pepperdine, but the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"Hosting the Regional in 2027 is a great addition to the decade of high-profile sports and entertainment events coming to Los Angeles," President & CEO of LASEC Kathryn Schloessman said. "After a successful event in 2024, we are excited to partner again with Crypto.com Arena, AEG and Pepperdine University to welcome this event back for the sixth time to Los Angeles in 2027."
 
In 2024, the West Regional saw Alabama and Clemson upset traditional powers North Carolina and Arizona in the Sweet Sixteen, before Nate Oats' Crimson Tide squad made its first-ever Final Four with an 89-82 win over Clemson. 
 
"We are incredibly excited to host the 2027 Regional at Crypto.com Arena," President Lee Zeidman of Crypto.com Arena said. "This will be the sixth time in our 25 year history that we have partnered with Pepperdine and LASEC to bring this phenomenal event to downtown Los Angeles and welcome college basketball fans from around the country for an amazing weekend!"
 
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 it was 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 Crypto.com Arena — formerly known as 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.