JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— A multi-year agreement is bringing the ASUN Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments to Jacksonville, Fla., starting in 2026.
ASUN, an NCAA Division I conference sponsoring 22 sports and championships, was founded in 1978. It’s composed of 12 destination-based institutions spread throughout the southeastern United States. This marks the first time since 2013 that the conference has conducted both of its basketball postseason events at a single site.
“The decision to move the tournaments to Jacksonville represents a significant milestone for the ASUN and underscores the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events,” says ASUN commissioner Jeff Bacon. “The process over the past year has been exhaustive, and I have been tremendously impressed by the volume of interest in our tournaments from so many incredible cities and venues. In the end, Jacksonville’s passion for sports, alongside its outstanding facilities and hospitality, will create an incredible experience for our student-athletes and fans.”
The 2026 Championships will include all 12 ASUN member institutions, with 24 teams competing in 22 games over a period of seven days. The event is expected to generate more than $10 million in annual economic impact for the Jacksonville community and is being executed in partnership with the City of Jacksonville and Visit Jacksonville.
“I am proud that Jacksonville has been selected to host the ASUN Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments,” says Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “We look forward to welcoming the many student-athletes, families, coaches, and fans to our city. The ASUN Tournaments are another shining example of Jacksonville’s fast growth and why we’re a fantastic place to visit. I am grateful for the significant economic impact that will be brought to our community and to all those who worked so hard to bring it here.”
The quarterfinals through championship finals are being held downtown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
“We are honored to welcome the ASUN Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena,” says Mike Kenny, general manager of ASM Global. “This prestigious event is a perfect fit for our venue, and we are excited to provide a platform where the talented student-athletes can compete for a championship title. The energy of ASUN basketball will be on full display, and we look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for the teams, fans, and the Jacksonville community.”
For more information about the 2026 tournaments, visit www.asunsports.org.
