And the finalists for the GOP convention are …

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus announced Thursday that the GOP has narrowed the list of possible 2016 presidential convention sites down to eight cities: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Priebus made the announcement on Twitter.

The bids are in & we have 8 great cities vying for the 2016 RNC Convention. The finalists are…

— Reince Priebus (@Reince) February 27, 2014

Congratulations to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas & Phoenix for moving on to the next phase.

— Reince Priebus (@Reince) February 27, 2014

The RNC’s site selection committee is expected to decide on the final location later this year.

Late last month, RNC members appeared to lean toward either Denver or Las Vegas as the site for the 2016 convention.

Nevada began lobbying to host the convention last October, when its lieutenant governor formed a host committee.

“The 2016 GOP convention will be one of the largest and most significant events of its kind,” the site says. “Las Vegas will provide the world class facilities, accommodations, infrastructure, dining, and entertainment options to make the 2016 convention like no other. We are the #1 convention destination in North America. This is what we do,” it says on its website, lasvegas2016.com.

Tampa, Fla., hosted the GOP’s 2012 convention. The location proved to be problematic when Hurricane Isaac delayed its opening and shortened the event.

Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2008.