American Athletic Conference Moves Basketball Tournaments to Birmingham, Tampa 2026-28

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has announced that its men's and women's basketball tournaments will be held at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2026, followed by the tournaments at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, for both 2027 and 2028. This marks the first time both Birmingham and Tampa will host the AAC championships, with Legacy Arena having recently hosted major NCAA basketball events and undergoing significant modernization. AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti emphasized the priority of providing a championship-level experience for student-athletes and the importance of year-round local support for the events. The move also reflects a shift from the tournaments' previous locations, such as Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and bids from other cities including Memphis and Wichita. Legacy Arena is noted for its large capacity and history of hosting national sporting events, while the Yuengling Center has a strong local sports presence and will maintain Tampa's role as a recurring March Madness site. The decision aims to enhance fan engagement and ensure memorable experiences for players and spectators alike.