The NCAA Atlantic Sun Sports Conference has announced a multi-year agreement to bring men and women’s basketball tournaments to Jacksonville, Fla. in 2026.
The tournament will have 24 teams competing in 22 games within seven days. This is the first time since 2013 that the conference will conduct both of its basketball postseason events at a single site.
Jacksonville’s partnership with the conference is projected to generate more than $10 million in annual economic impact for its community. The first rounds of the tournament will be played on campus sites, while the quarter finals and championship finals will be held at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Jacksonville.
“[The arena is] investing dollars into the venue as we speak to enhance and upgrade it, which we have been really impressed by,” said ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon. “It’s part of the reason we’re going there.”All 12 schools within the conference agree that this long-thought decision will elevate the basketball experience for fans and especially athletes.
“When you bring all these entities together: the conference, our institutions, the city of Jacksonville, and our Vystar Memorial Arena, wow, you got a powerhouse in your pocket,” said Bacon. “It gives you great confidence going in that we’re gonna have an incredible basketball tournament experience in Jacksonville in March of 2026 and hopefully well beyond that.”
Bacon emphasized the importance of a fair basketball experience for every athlete and concluded that a neutral site was the best option to achieve it.
UNA Women’s Basketball Coach Candi Whitaker described how this decision can benefit ASUN as a whole.
“I think when you look at who does tournaments well, they find one spot and they build it,” said Whitaker. “I think when you find a location, you don’t move it, and you build it, it can be a great thing for your conference.”
After the announcement, ASUN quickly began to receive negative feedback on social media. Comments labeled it a “terrible decision” because of the removal of home court advantage and team support being affected because of fans less likely to drive to Jacksonville. They also add that single elimination can affect their travel experience.
“We’ve got great environments on our campuses. There’s probably some fans that aren’t gonna be thrilled to lose the opportunity to watch those games in their own gyms in that kind of atmosphere and I get it,” said Bacon. “That’s one of the consequences that comes along with this. But at the end of the day, it was an opportunity to bring both of our tournaments together, our men and our women, and provide the same exact experience for both in an incredible venue.”
Sophomore UNA guard Canin Jefferson expressed how this decision can affect the tournament.
“I think it’ll be fun having all the teams under one roof, but I’m definitely gonna miss playing in front of our own fans,” Jefferson said. “I feel it’s kind of taking away a little spark in conference season because even if you’re winning, you won’t be able to get that home court advantage when it comes to tournament time.”
Whitaker voiced her opinion on this debate, saying “Obviously I think they have an advantage as far as getting fans at the tournament,” Whitaker said. “The gym is a neutral site…We know they’re going there, we know the dates ahead of time, and so a lot of people can make arrangements and make plans.”
Whitaker also pointed out that change is necessary for growth within the conference.
ASUN shifted the focus from a fan’s perspective to the importance of an unforgettable collegiate athlete experience.
“To our student-athletes: this decision was made for you,” Bacon said. “More than anything we want to provide you with an elite championship experience that you will remember for the rest of your life and it is our intention to make sure that happens. We’ll see you at The Destination.”
