GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is returning to Greensboro. The NCAA announced the Greensboro Coliseum will host first and second round games of the men's tournament in 2020.
Last year, first and second round NCAA Tournament games that were scheduled to be in Greensboro were moved to Greenville, SC.
Raleigh will host first and second round men's games in 2021.
Charlotte will also host first and second round games in 2018, which was previously decided.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan called it a big win for Greensboro, who had 12 NCAA championship bids elected.
"Very excited about it. I'm glad they are coming back to Greensboro," said Vaughan. "We know all the great facilities we have to offer. It was a really good mix of different sports so there will be something for everyone."
.@greensborocity was awarded 11 total @NCAA events over the next 5 years! Mayor @VaughanNancy says it's a big win! @WFMY pic.twitter.com/IUYQufq3YW
— Ben Powell (@benpowelltv) April 18, 2017
NC Governor Roy Cooper released a statement after the decision was made:
“NCAA tournament games have a positive impact on our state’s economy, putting more money in the pockets of every day working North Carolina men and women who help host the games. While the compromise to repeal House Bill 2 was an important first step to fight discrimination and improve our state’s reputation and economy, we cannot stop until we have statewide LGBT protections.”
In women's basketball, the Greensboro Coliseum will host the 2019 NCAA women's basketball regional.
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As for soccer, Cary will host the 2019 and 2021 Division 1 Men's Soccer College Cup. Cary will also the 2018 and 2020 Division 1 Women's Soccer College Cup.
In field hockey, Winston-Salem will host the 2019 NCAA Women's Field Hockey Championship at Wake Forest University.
In swimming, Greensboro will host the 2021 Division 1 Women's Swimming and Diving Championships as well as the Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships from 2019-2022.
Susan Braman with the Greensboro Aquatic Center says they were worried about the impacts that HB2 would have on the NCAA's decision.
"I think it gives us an opportunity to show that we have been a diverse area and will continue to be fair and non-discriminatory," said Braman. "So I think it's a good thing now that it's over and we are being awarded events."
UNCG will play host to the Division III Men's and Women's Soccer Championships from 2018-2021.
For the first time, NC A&T State University will host the Division III Men's and Women's Track and Field Championships in 2022.
Kim Strable with the Greensboro Sports Commission says it's exciting to see Greensboro back in the game.
"We know tournament town can do a lot of things. We can host a lot of their events," said Strable. "But we also know it's a big country and with 3200 other bids that they got this year, for us to walk away with 11, we are pleased with that."
The NCAA said it "reluctantly voted" to allow for consideration of bids from North Carolina.
The organization also said it won't hesitate to pull the events out again if they believe the championships would be played in a "discriminatory environment."
In all North Carolina was awarded 23 NCAA events.
For a list of the future Division 1 Championship sites from 2019-2022, click this link.