The American Athletic Conference (AAC) made a huge announcement over the weekend that will be of tremendous significance to residents of the Yellowhammer State.
This upcoming season, the city of Birmingham and Legacy Arena inside the BJCC will host the AAC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments ahead of their planned move to Tampa, Florida, for the 2027 and 2028 editions.
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“We’re incredibly excited to welcome the American Athletic Conference to Legacy Arena,” said Executive Director and CEO of the BJCC Tad Snider via WRBC. “With the recent NCAA Women’s Regionals, the 2023 Men’s First and Second Rounds, and another set of Men’s Rounds scheduled for 2028, Birmingham has firmly established itself as a premier destination for championship basketball. 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.”
The conference is thrilled as well and issued a statement emphasizing its gratitude to the cities.
“We are thrilled to bring our basketball championships to Birmingham and Tampa,” said AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti. “Our top priority when we began this bid process was to deliver the best possible experience for our student-athletes. The ability of Birmingham and Tampa to accommodate both championships and the year-round support that we will receive from their respective local committees will help to make these events an unforgettable experience for our players and fans.”
Birmingham has already proven itself to be a premier basketball destination after hosting the NCAA Tournament two years ago, with Alabama and Auburn both playing there in the first round. As a likely future site for more March Madness games, Legacy Arena is going to continue to provide the best atmosphere possible for fans.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
