News Summary
The American Athletic Conference has revealed that Birmingham will host the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in 2026, while Tampa is set to host in 2027 and 2028. This decision reflects Birmingham’s growing reputation as a sports city, having previously hosted significant NCAA events. The championships will take place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, further enhancing its status in collegiate athletics. The move to Tampa following Birmingham highlights the conference’s strategic rotation to bring diverse experiences for fans and athletes.
Birmingham to Host AAC Basketball Championships in 2026; Tampa Set for 2027 and 2028
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has announced that its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will take place in Birmingham in 2026 and in Tampa, Florida in 2027 and 2028. This marks the first time these cities will host the AAC championships.
AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming events, emphasizing the conference’s commitment to providing the best experience for student-athletes and fans alike.
Birmingham’s Growing Reputation as a Sports City
Birmingham has been gaining recognition as a prime location for significant NCAA events, having recently hosted critical matchups such as the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of the NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament. The city has also served as the venue for the SEC women’s gymnastics championships.
The championships will be held at the Legacy Arena located in the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). This venue has previously hosted NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament games and is set to feature more NCAA tournament games scheduled for 2028, further solidifying Birmingham’s status as a premier destination for championship basketball.
The BJCC’s executive director has expressed excitement about hosting the AAC championships, which are expected to draw significant attention and fans to the events in Birmingham.
Details on Future Championships in Tampa
After Birmingham’s turn in 2026, the AAC championships will move to the Yuengling Center in Tampa for the following two years. This transition highlights a strategic rotation of hosting cities that benefits both the conference and the attending audiences, allowing for diverse experience and exposure across multiple fan bases.
Historical Context of AAC Championships
This announcement comes on the heels of notable performances in past championships. For instance, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) won the AAC men’s championship in 2024, defeating Temple with a score of 85-69. The previous year, Memphis claimed the men’s title by beating UAB 84-72. In women’s play, South Florida captured the AAC championship by overcoming Rice 69-62.
Despite UConn’s move to the Big East Conference, they still hold the record for the most AAC tournament championships in women’s basketball, with a total of seven titles. In the men’s division, Memphis leads current teams with two AAC tournament championships, an accolade shared by Cincinnati, Houston, and SMU, which are no longer members of the conference.
A Focus on Student-Athlete Experience
The AAC’s initiative to rotate championship locations aims to provide student-athletes with varied experiences and the opportunity to compete in front of diverse crowds. This approach is seen as a crucial element in enhancing the overall atmosphere and excitement surrounding college basketball.
As more basketball fans anticipate the tournaments in both Birmingham and Tampa, the events promise to not only showcase emerging talent but also contribute significantly to the local economies of the host cities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Al.com: Birmingham to Host AAC Basketball Championships in 2026
- Google Search: Birmingham AAC Basketball Championships
- Michigan’s Thumb: AAC Basketball Championships
- Google Scholar: American Athletic Conference
- Tuscaloosa News: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Birmingham
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Birmingham Basketball Tournaments
- Tuscaloosa News: NCAA Women’s Basketball Sweet 16 in Birmingham
- Google News: Basketball in Birmingham
