The combination of factors of there only being one other Midwest host bid, few arenas in the mid west wanting to bid over the last few years, attendance lacking at past regionals likely causing the NCAA to over correct with a smaller venue, and wanting to host a year prior to the Frozen Four in the same city led to this.
What this shows is that you still need the 5-6k seat sweet spot type of arenas for regionals in this format. Lindenwood alongside the STL Sports Commission has submitted bids for future regionals, and a women's frozen four for 2027 and 2028, I'd expect those not to be awarded though because of the capacity issues plaguing this year now
St. Louis Sports Commission Submits Bids for NCAA Championship Events Between 2026 and 2028
While Centene is a nice facility, and it provides a good home for LU the hockey program, it's much to small for an event like this. Hopefully that is the only lesson learned and doesn't just stop LU from bidding in the future.
Lindenwood is going to have to utilize arenas outside of St. Louis to host hockey events like this. The best would be the following in my opinion would be:
Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence MO- 5800 Seats, Home to ECHL KC Mavericks, and NHL Exhibitions
FM Bank Arena- Clarksville, TN- 5000 Seats, Home of Austin Peay Basketball, can host ice hockey
Ford Center- Evansville, IN- 9000 Seats, Home to SPHL, Evansville Thunderbolts (LU has somewhat of a connection here as their primary conference the OVC hosts their basketball tournament here)
Other potential candidates could be:
XTream Arena- Coralville, IA, 5100 seats for ECHL Iowa Heartlanders hockey
Carver Arena- Peoria IL- 9000 Seats, SPHL Peoria Rivermen among the tenants
Grossinger Motors Arena- Bloomington IL- 6000 Seats, Bloomington Bison ECHL as the tenants starting next year.
As a disclaimer for anyone who may wonder, why don't they just Family Arena where Lindenwood hosted the women's Frozen Four in 2017? The Family Arena removed it's ice plant a few years ago so it can no longer host hockey.
Another reason to just tear down that dump.