The NCAA News - News & Features

Women's Final Four to start using lottery system for tickets

New distribution method to begin in 1998 in response to increasing ticket requests

In response to growing ticket demands for the Women's Final Four, the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee will institute a lottery system for ticket distribution to the three-game event beginning with the 1998 championship.

Meeting June 24-28 in Monterey, California, the committee agreed to solicit proposals from firms to organize the lottery. The committee expects to select a company during the fall.

The last four Women's Final Four events have sold out. The 1997 championship, which will be held in March 28 and 30 in Cincinnati's Riverfront Coliseum, sold out five hours after tickets went on sale to the general public.

Essentially, patrons would fill out an application form that will be entered into a computerized random drawing.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Division I Women's Basketball Committee
June 24-28/Monterey, California

* Increased the minimum seating capacity necessary for a facility to host a Women's Final Four from 15,000 to 17,000, beginning with the 2001 championship.

* Determined that Women's Final Four sites for 2001 and 2002 will be selected in the summer of 1997. In addition, the committee agreed to select regional sites for 2000, 2001 and 2002 in the summer of 1998.

* Noted that 30 conferences will be granted automatic qualification for the 1997 tournament -- one less than last year.

* Met with representatives from ESPN, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the Charlotte, North Carolina, local organizing committee.