Birmingham chosen to host 2026 American Athletic Conference Basketball Championships

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Legacy Arena
NCAA’s Women’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 and Elite 8 at Legacy Arena. (Caleb Turrentine / Bham Now)

The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has chosen Birmingham to host their 2026 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at Legacy Arena at the BJCC

It will be the first time AAC has played their basketball championships in The Magic City. 

College basketball hotspot

Lately, Birmingham has become a hotspot for college basketball. 

Since Legacy Arena was modernized in 2021 the venue has hosted the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds and 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regionals. In 2028, the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament will return to the 18,000-capacity arena.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome the American Athletic Conference to Legacy Arena. We’re proud to showcase our vibrant city and world-class venue, and we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for student-athletes, fans, and the entire American Athletic Conference community.”

Tad Snider, executive director & CEO of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

This year, AAC member UAB Men’s team lost to Memphis in the title game. Will the game at Legacy Arena give the Blazers the home court advantage to win it all? 

Stay tuned.

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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