Full Tournament Guide | March 3–9 at the Pensacola Bay Center

The Sun Belt Basketball Championship returns to Pensacola March 3 through March 9, 2026, as all 14 Sun Belt Conference teams compete in the postseason tournament at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Both the men’s and women’s tournaments will take place throughout the week, with the championship winners earning the conference’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament.

If you are searching for Sun Belt Basketball Championship 2026 tickets, schedule details, bracket format, or tournament information in Pensacola, this guide covers everything you need to know.

When Is the Sun Belt Basketball Championship 2026?

March 3–9, 2026
Location: Pensacola Bay Center
City: Pensacola, Florida

The tournament spans seven days of single elimination competition, culminating in the championship games.

Where Is the Tournament Played?

All games will be held at:

Pensacola Bay Center
201 E Gregory Street
Pensacola, FL

The Bay Center has served as the host venue for the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championship, turning downtown Pensacola into a college basketball hub for one full week.

How the Sun Belt Tournament Format Works

All 14 Sun Belt Conference teams qualify for the tournament.

Teams are seeded based on regular season conference record. If teams have identical records, conference tiebreaker procedures determine seeding.

The tournament uses a stepladder format:

• Seeds 1 and 2 receive byes to the semifinals
• Seeds 3 and 4 receive byes to the quarterfinals
• The top 10 teams receive at least one bye
• Lower seeds must win additional games to advance

The tournament is single elimination, meaning one loss sends a team home.

This format creates high stakes games from the very first round.

What Is at Stake?

The winner of the men’s and women’s Sun Belt Conference tournaments receives the conference’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament.

For many teams, this is their path to March Madness.

Because of that, intensity builds each day as teams fight to extend their season.

What to Expect During Tournament Week

The Sun Belt Championship is more than just basketball.

Fans can expect:

• High energy games featuring Division I athletes
• School bands and cheer squads
• Fan Fest activities
• A dribble drive event
• Downtown restaurant and bar activity throughout the week

Tournament week brings a noticeable economic boost and atmosphere to downtown Pensacola.

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for the Sun Belt Basketball Championship are available through official Sun Belt and Pensacola Bay Center channels.

Fans can purchase:

Single session tickets
All session passes
Group packages

Early purchase is recommended, especially for semifinal and championship rounds.

Why the Sun Belt Tournament Matters to Pensacola

The Sun Belt Championship has become one of the largest annual sporting events in Pensacola.

It draws:

• College alumni
• Student sections
• Parents and families
• Conference media
• Traveling fan bases

The result is a March sports atmosphere similar to early round NCAA Tournament games.

For basketball fans searching for March Madness energy in Pensacola, this is the premier event.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teams play in the Sun Belt Tournament?
All 14 conference teams qualify.

Where is the Sun Belt Tournament held in 2026?
All games are played at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Does the winner go to the NCAA Tournament?
Yes. The men’s and women’s champions receive automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Division I Tournament.

How long is the tournament?
Seven days, March 3 through March 9.

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Sun Belt Basketball Championship 2026 in Pensacola