EDISON, N.J. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced today that Atlantic City has been unanimously selected by the Conference's Council of Presidents to host the MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships from 2027 through 2031. This five-year agreement marks the longest-term and most significant host-site partnership in MAAC Basketball Championships history, with a substantial financial investment dedicated to enhancing the championship experience for student-athletes, coaches, member institutions and fans.
"Atlantic City's long-term investment in the MAAC Basketball Championships gives us the ability to continue elevating the Conference's marquee event and delivering an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, member institutions, and fans," said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. "Having a confirmed host for the next five years allows us to plan with confidence, innovate, and build on the momentum we've established. Coupled with an earlier championship window and primetime coverage on ESPN/ESPN2, this agreement represents a major step forward in elevating the quality and visibility of our marquee event."
The Conference conducted a comprehensive, year-long evaluation that included collecting feedback from multiple stakeholders on both championship format and host location. As part of the process, the membership considered multiple championship models, including:
- Hosting both tournaments entirely on member institution campuses
- Hosting both tournaments at a single neutral site
- A hybrid model with early rounds on campus and semifinals and finals at a neutral site
Following the review, the membership expressed no desire to separate the men's and women's basketball championships and determined that hosting both tournaments at a single neutral site best supports the Conference's goal of providing a high-quality, consistent championship experience for student-athletes.
"Atlantic City has been a great partner and an outstanding host for the MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships over the past several years," said Chair of the MAAC Committee on Athletics Administration and Director of Athletics at Iona University Matt Glovaski. "From the perspective of our athletics leadership, keeping the men's and women's tournaments together in one location has proven to be the right approach for our programs and our student-athletes. Boardwalk Hall continues to provide a championship-caliber stage for our Conference, and we are excited to extend this relationship and keep the MAAC in Atlantic City."
Multiple bids submitted through a Request for Proposal (RFP) were reviewed, following distribution to a wide range of venues across the Northeast. Atlantic City distinguished itself with full-service, resort-style hotel accommodations, nearly 18,000 hotel rooms, extensive dining and entertainment options, and a strong financial commitment to enhancing the championship experience. The city's compact footprint with hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and the competition venue all in close proximity reinforced Atlantic City as a destination for participating teams and fans. Additionally, Atlantic City is located within a few hours drive of nearly one-third of the nation's population, providing significant reach and visibility for the Conference's marquee event.
"This five-year agreement reflects the strength of our partnership with the MAAC and our shared commitment to delivering an exceptional destination experience for student-athletes, fans, and member institutions," said Gary Musich, President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City. "Atlantic City is built to host major events, and we're excited to continue serving as the home of MAAC championships for years to come."
With this extension, Atlantic City will host the MAAC Basketball Championships for a total of 12 years, making it the second longest-running host in Conference history. In its 45-year history, the MAAC Men's Basketball Championship has been hosted in seven cities: Albany, Atlantic City, Bridgeport, Buffalo, East Rutherford, Springfield, and Trenton. The MAAC Women's Basketball Championship was held on campus for six years (late 1980s – early 1990s) and has been conducted alongside the men's tournament at a neutral site since 1992.
"In partnership with Visit Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Sports Commission, and with the support of the CRDA, we are proud to continue hosting the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the next five years," said Jim McDonald, General Manager of Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for Oak View Group. "This commitment underscores our focus on delivering a premier championship experience while showcasing elite collegiate basketball tournaments in one of only 31 host cities nationwide."
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall was originally selected by a unanimous vote of the MAAC Council of Presidents to host the championships from 2020 to 2022. In March 2022, the MAAC agreed to a one-year extension with the venue, paving the way for the 2023 MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, followed by agreeing to a three-year extension in March 2023, allowing the championships to remain in Atlantic City from 2024 through 2026.
The 2025-26 MAAC basketball season will culminate with the 2026 Air Force Reserve MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, March 5-10 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
For the second straight season, the championship field will feature the Conference's top 10 teams. With the schedule shifted one week earlier, the women's championship game will be a standalone contest on Monday, March 9, followed by the men's championship game airing live nationally on ESPN or ESPN2 on Tuesday, March 10.
For more information on the 2026 Air Force Reserve MAAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, including tickets, visit MAACSports.com/basketball and follow @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on X.
About Visit Atlantic City:
Visit Atlantic City is a 501(c)(6) organization formed and funded as a public-private partnership by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to create economic development through leisure tourism, conventions, sporting events, film production and group tourism.
Atlantic City is a premier travel destination on the East Coast with the first Boardwalk to open in the United States. Attracting visitors with its diverse array of tourism offerings, Atlantic City is home to nine casino resorts, an eclectic culinary scene, vibrant history, thrilling entertainment and family-friendly adventures, making it the ultimate destination where celebrations live on and inspire visitors to create memory making moments.
For complete Atlantic City tourism and convention information, visit www.visitatlanticcity.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Atlantic City Sports Commission:
The Atlantic City Sports Commission was officially formed on January 13, 2015 with the support of Visit Atlantic City and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) to attract sporting events, conventions and competitions to Atlantic City.
For more information, visit www.atlanticcitysports.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About OVG:
OVG is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health, and public safety and more.
About the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA):
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority's mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state's key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA's expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process.
For more information about CRDA and our projects, visit www.njcrda.com, and follow us on Facebook and X.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary's University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena University.
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.
