The NCAA will deploy a new seating configuration for the 2010 Men’s Frozen Four that sets the overall capacity to more than 36,000 seats.

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The move accommodates what is expected to be a record crowd and is intended to provide better access and sight lines for fans at the April 8 and 10 semifinals and final at Ford Field in Detroit.

While the capacity at Ford Field is even larger than the configuration for the hockey championship, officials determined that an off-centered placement of the playing surface would provide a better viewing experience and still accommodate a crowd that could be several thousand more than at previous finals.

Because sight lines for fans at the venue and ice conditions for participants have been top priorities for the NCAA and championship co-host Central Collegiate Hockey Association, officials agreed to place the ice in the west end-zone of the stadium, with a riser system to the east of the ice.

“The NCAA, the CCHA, Detroit Sports and Ford Field have been working together to ensure the 2010 Men’s Frozen Four will be one of the best ever,” said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships. “With this championship having more available seats than in previous years, as well as taking sight lines into consideration, we felt this design was the best for everyone involved.

“The fans and student-athletes who are a part of this event will be talking about it for years to come.”

The current record attendance for a Men’s Frozen Four game is 19,432, established at the 2007 championship game at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, where Michigan State defeated Boston College, 3-1.

Ford Field already holds four separate NCAA men’s basketball championship attendance records, establishing the all-time marks with the 2008 regional games, the 2009 open practice, the 2009 national semifinal games and the 2009 national championship game.

In addition to the games, hosts are working with Ford Field and the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau to plan ancillary events, similar to the 2009 Men’s Final Four, which will engage the community and give fans plenty of entertainment options.

Ford Field will become the third venue to host both a Men’s Final Four and a Men’s Frozen Four, and the first to host the events in consecutive years. Tickets are available at www.NCAA.com/frozenfour, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800/745-3000. Each all-session ticket includes the two semifinal games on Thursday, April 8, and the national championship game on Saturday, April 10. Tickets are available in four price ranges ($40, $79, $119 and $189).

For more information on the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four, see www.NCAA.com/frozenfour.