Conference USA basketball championships are coming to the Rocket City

Straight off the heels of March Madness, a big basketball announcement was made today in Huntsville: The Rocket City just secured a pretty major hoops event for next year. Huntsville will host the men’s and women’s Conference USA basketball tournaments at Propst Arena for at least two seasons.

The economic impact of the tournaments to the Huntsville metro is expected to be more than $3 million.

The 2024 C-USA Basketball Championships are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16, at Propst Arena. The conference champions receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

C-USA comes to Huntsville

Huntsville will be the ninth location to host the C-USA Men’s Basketball Championship and the 14th host city for the C-USA Women’s Basketball Championship. Both championships have been held in Alabama previously, from 2015-17, in Birmingham at Legacy Arena (men’s and women’s) and Bartow Arena for the women’s championship in 1996.

Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said in the news conference Thursday that one reason Huntsville was chosen for the tournaments is that the city is within driving distance of most of the C-USA schools.

“We are very excited to have our men’s and women’s basketball teams compete for a conference championship and berth in the NCAA tournament at Propst Arena in Huntsville. We can’t wait to get started partnering with the team from the City, Sports Commission, CVB and Knight Eady to put on a first-class event for our student-athletes, universities and fans while enjoying all Huntsville has to offer.” 

Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod

Conference teams such as Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky are not far from Huntsville. And the rest of the teams are a short flight from the city.

‘March Madness will be starting in the Rocket City’

Conference USA had a pretty impressive showing in the postseason this year, with Florida Atlantic making the Men’s Final Four, and both UAB and North Texas facing off in the finals of the NIT Tournament.

“We are proud to welcome the Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball championships to Huntsville and our renovated Propst Arena. March Madness will be starting in the Rocket City next year and we can’t wait to showcase our great city to all the student-athletes, coaches, fans and alumni attending the event.”

Mayor Tommy Battle

The 2024 C-USA Basketball Championships are scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16, at Propst Arena. The conference champions receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

Ticket information will be announced this fall and more information will be available at www.ConferenceUSA.com.

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