Portland’s Rose Garden arena was selected to host the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship first and second round games by the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee.

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The Rose Garden arena, home of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Twenty-four cities will serve as hosts for the first and second round and regional games in 2009 and 2010. Games will be played at the Rose Garden on Thursday, March 19 and Saturday, March 21, 2009 with the University of Oregon being the host school.

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"We are thrilled to be the host venue for the 2009 Men's first and second round games," said Mike Scanlon, General Manager of the Global Spectrum-managed Rose Quarter. "It took a lot of hard work by a number of individuals in order to bring this tournament back to Oregon, including the University of Oregon, Oregon Sports Authority, the City of Portland, Portland Arena Management and Travel Portland."

This is the first time the Rose Garden will host an NCAA Tournament. The last NCAA tournament games played in Oregon were 25 years ago in Corvallis, which were also the first and second round games. However, it will have been 34 years since Portland last hosted an NCAA Tournament (1975 NCAA Regionals).

"Obviously this was something already in place before my arrival here but as an Oregon native as well as my role at the University of Oregon, this is something that will reap tremendous dividends for the entire state," said Pat Kilkenny, Ducks' Director of Athletics. "The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament has evolved into one of the greatest sporting events in the country and for fans throughout the state and the Pacific Northwest to be able to experience this first hand is truly amazing. It is our hope that this becomes an event in the state we can assist with on a regular basis."

Because of Oregon's previous authorization of state-sanctioned sports lottery games, it has been 25 years since Oregon last hosted the NCAA Tournament. In 2005, the Oregon Sports Authority introduced a legislative bill to eliminate the state's sports lottery games while also increasing funding for college athletics.

"It's truly a thrill to know that we are just one year way from the long-awaited return of March Madness® to Oregon," said Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority. "The anticipated arrival of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, along with its substantial economic impact, represents one of the Oregon Sports Authority's most meaningful accomplishments on behalf of this state."

As selected by the committee in 2003, Detroit is the host of the 2009 Final Four and Indianapolis is the site of the 2010 Final Four.

The NCAA reminds fans that purchasing tickets from secondary, unauthorized vendors may result in fraudulent purchases. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets from NCAA member institutions or companies authorized by the NCAA to sell or resell championship tickets.