Philly to host five NCAA championships in lacrosse and soccer

THE PHILADELPHIA area was selected yesterday to host five NCAA championships through 2017.

The 2015 and 2016 men's lacrosse championships will be held at Lincoln Financial Field, hosted by Drexel. The 2015 and 2016 women's lacrosse championships will he held at PPL Park, hosted by Saint Joseph's.

Also, the men's soccer College Cup will be played at PPL Park in 2017, hosted by Villanova.

"We are consistently a top choice for premier sporting events like the Army-Navy game, and we frequently host our own nationally recognized events like the Philadelphia Marathon, the Dad Vail Regatta and the Penn Relays," Mayor Nutter said. "Welcoming NCAA championships back to Philadelphia for the next several years will only enhance our reputation as a world-class sports city.

"Philadelphia is known for many things, arts and culture, higher education, medicine and research, and tourism, but we are also recognized as a passionate, energetic sports town."

"We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the NCAA, which is a testament to all of our local partners, including Drexel, Villanova, Saint Joseph's, the Eagles and the Union," said Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.

And, next April, the Wells Fargo Center will host the Frozen Four hockey championships.