(Sports Network) - The NCAA Division I men's basketball committee has announced five selections as hosts for the Final Four starting in 2012 and running through 2016. New Orleans, Atlanta, Dallas-Arlington-Fort Worth, Indianapolis and Houston have been chosen as the host cities.

The Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans will be the site for the 2012 Final Four. It will mark the fifth Final Four for the Superdome, which previously served as host in 1982, '87, '93 and 2003. Legendary North Carolina head coach Dean Smith won his two NCAA titles in the building in 1982 and '92, while the 1987 championship game featured Indiana's third title under Bob Knight when Keith Smart hit the winning jumper in the closing seconds against Syracuse.

"Our teams and fans have always had a special experience in New Orleans," said Division I men's basketball committee chair and Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive. "The city's overall recovery efforts, as well as the extensive renovations to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, make it sensible for us to return the Final Four to New Orleans once again. We believe this award serves as another important step in the recovery process."

The 2013 Final Four, the event's 75th anniversary, will be played in the Georgia Dome, marking Atlanta's fourth time as host. The first came in 1977 when Al McGuire won his title with Marquette, while the Georgia Dome served as host in 2002 and 2007.

"The Georgia Dome did a great job with the Final Four twice this decade, and the people in Atlanta have answered the call each time they have put on major events, including the Super Bowl and Olympics," Slive remarked. "They are well-equipped to serve as host for the 75th anniversary. It will be the culmination of a season-long celebration of the wonderful history of the Final Four."

The new stadium for the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas will serve as host for the 2014 Final Four. It will be the second Final Four for the Dallas area, which held the 1986 championship won by Louisville and talented freshman Pervis Ellison.

"When finished, the new stadium in Arlington will create a flexible "canvas" for the Final Four. We think the venue offers exciting opportunities and a unique experience for everyone involved," said Slive.

Indianapolis and its new venue, Lucas Oil Stadium, will welcome the 2015 Final Four. It will be the seventh Final Four for the city, which also played host in 1980 at Market Square Arena, and in 1991, '97, 2000 and 2006 at the RCA Dome. Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, had previously been chosen to host the Final Four in 2010.

Reliant Stadium in Houston was chosen to host the 2016 Final Four. The home of the Houston Texans was previously selected to hold the 2011 event and the city first welcomed the Final Four in 1971 at the Astrodome.

"Now and for the foreseeable future, we'll have at least 70,000 fans in the venue and tens of thousands more visitors in the host cities to experience the atmosphere and events that accompany the three basketball games," said NCAA president Dr. Myles Brand. "It is a wonderful spectacle that continues to grow into one of the world's premier sporting events."

Other cities that submitted bids included Detroit, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio and St. Louis. The NCAA said those cities not selected for the Final Four will be guaranteed an opportunity to host preliminary rounds of the NCAA Tournament during this cycle.





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