Places to Stay
From beachfront condominiums and lavish resorts to primitive campgrounds and rustic outposts, the Pensacola Bay Area offers accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget.
Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championship
March 3 - 9, 2026
March 3 - 9, 2026, all 14 Sun Belt teams will compete in the single-elimination Sun Belt Basketball Championship Tournament. Both the men's and women’s tournaments will take place at the Pensacola Bay Center.
For one week, watch some of the best athletes in college basketball face off for their chance to win big to make it to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men and Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Enjoy high-action games, entertainment from team bands and cheer squads, Fan Fest, a dribble drive, and more throughout the week! Read below for full details and to explore tickets!
Sun Belt Offers
No results were found matching your criteria
Itinerary: Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championship
Start planning your trip to Pensacola now with this Sun Belt Itinerary. Explore all the things to do, places to stay, and more in Pensacola while you're here.
Promotion Schedule
The Sun Belt Conference will be offering a number of promotions for families throughout this year’s championships, with ticket promotions available exclusively in-person at the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office.
YOUTH NIGHT
On Wednesday, March 4, all youth—age 13 and under—will receive free admission to the 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. games.
EDUCATION NIGHT
On Thursday, March 5, all K-12 students and Escambia County faculty, staff and administrators will receive free admission to the 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. games. All college students with a valid student ID will receive 50 percent off admission.
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
On Friday, March 6, all active-duty military and veterans with a valid military ID—along with anyone in their party—may purchase $6 center bowl reserved tickets to the 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. games.
FAN FEST & DRIBBLE DRIVE
On Saturday, March 7, all fans are invited to the free Fan Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Pensacola Bay Center with live music from Loaded Goat rock band. Youth ages 3-12 may also register for the free Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Dribble Drive at SunBeltSports.org/DribbleDrive. Participants will receive a free t-shirt, a free basketball and two free tickets to the women’s quarterfinal game at 2:30 p.m.
SEMIFINAL SUNDAY & BABY RACE
Children ages 6-15 months may register to compete in the Baby Race presented by Dillard’s at halftime of the 2:00 p.m. game. Participants will receive two free tickets to the women’s semifinal game at 2:00 p.m. Register at sunbeltsports.org/BABYRACE
CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY & DUELING PIANO SHOW
On Monday, March 9, please join us for Championship Monday, where two teams will cut down the nets and punch their tickets to March Madness. The Sun Belt women’s basketball championship game will be nationally broadcast at 1 p.m. CT on ESPNU, with the Sun Belt men’s basketball championship game to follow at 6 p.m. CT on either ESPN or ESPN2. Both championship games will feature a halftime performance from Rosie O’Grady’s Dueling Piano Show from Seville Quarter.
