OVC Basketball Championships Extended at Ford Center Through 2032
9/29/2025 10:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference Board of Presidents have accepted an agreement to continue to hold the OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana through the 2032 Championship.
The OVC Basketball Championships have been held in the venue since 2018. In 2023 the OVC accepted an agreement through 2026 with an option for 2027. This new five-year deal keeps the event in Evansville into the next decade.
"The OVC is delighted to extend our partnership with the Evansville Regional Sports Commission and the Ford Center to continue hosting the OVC Basketball Championships in Evansville through 2032," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support we receive from local leaders led by Mayor Stephanie Terry, Evansville Regional Sports Commission Executive Director Brandon McClish, Ford Center Executive Director Scott Schoenike, and Local Organizing Committee chairs Jim Sandgren and Steve Schaffer. The OVC family truly loves bringing our marquee event to this community each year—it's like coming home. Given the warm welcome from the community, the exceptional venue, and Hoosier hospitality, this experience ensures we are providing OVC student-athletes with an exemplary championship experience fitting with the OVC's rich history of committing to excellence."
"Evansville is excited to continue our partnership with the Ohio Valley Conference through 2032," said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. "The Ford Center has proven itself as a premier venue, and hosting the OVC has become a true point of pride for our city. I'm proud of the strong relationships we've built with the OVC, and I look forward to seeing the players, coaches, parents and fans fill our hotels, our local restaurants, coffee shops, and other Downtown businesses for years to come."
"We are thrilled to keep the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships right here in Evansville through 2032," said Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission. "This isn't just an extension—it's a true testament to the partnership between the OVC and our city. Evansville has become part of the OVC family, and that's only possible because of the incredible people and groups who keep rolling out the red carpet for student-athletes, fans, and families year after year—Mayor Terry's office, Downtown Evansville, our Local Organizing Committee, EVSC, E-REP, Explore Evansville, our hotel partners… the list goes on. This extension continues to show why Evansville is a true Championship City."
The Ford Center, which opened in November 2011, is an 11,000-seat arena located in the core of Evansville's downtown district. The 290,000-square foot facility serves as home of Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the University of Evansville men's basketball team. The Ford Center also serves host to numerous sporting events and concerts on an annual basis.
The 2019 OVC Championships saw record-breaking attendance at the venue, as the men's semifinals drew an OVC neutral site record 8,294 fans, a mark that was broken the next night with an attendance of 10,525.
The OVC Basketball Tournament is the fourth-oldest Division I Championship in the country; the men's event will be held for the 63rd time this year. The women's championship is being contested for the 46th time.
This year's OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are March 4-7, 2026.
The OVC Basketball Championships have been held in the venue since 2018. In 2023 the OVC accepted an agreement through 2026 with an option for 2027. This new five-year deal keeps the event in Evansville into the next decade.
"The OVC is delighted to extend our partnership with the Evansville Regional Sports Commission and the Ford Center to continue hosting the OVC Basketball Championships in Evansville through 2032," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support we receive from local leaders led by Mayor Stephanie Terry, Evansville Regional Sports Commission Executive Director Brandon McClish, Ford Center Executive Director Scott Schoenike, and Local Organizing Committee chairs Jim Sandgren and Steve Schaffer. The OVC family truly loves bringing our marquee event to this community each year—it's like coming home. Given the warm welcome from the community, the exceptional venue, and Hoosier hospitality, this experience ensures we are providing OVC student-athletes with an exemplary championship experience fitting with the OVC's rich history of committing to excellence."
"Evansville is excited to continue our partnership with the Ohio Valley Conference through 2032," said Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry. "The Ford Center has proven itself as a premier venue, and hosting the OVC has become a true point of pride for our city. I'm proud of the strong relationships we've built with the OVC, and I look forward to seeing the players, coaches, parents and fans fill our hotels, our local restaurants, coffee shops, and other Downtown businesses for years to come."
"We are thrilled to keep the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships right here in Evansville through 2032," said Brandon McClish, Executive Director of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission. "This isn't just an extension—it's a true testament to the partnership between the OVC and our city. Evansville has become part of the OVC family, and that's only possible because of the incredible people and groups who keep rolling out the red carpet for student-athletes, fans, and families year after year—Mayor Terry's office, Downtown Evansville, our Local Organizing Committee, EVSC, E-REP, Explore Evansville, our hotel partners… the list goes on. This extension continues to show why Evansville is a true Championship City."
The Ford Center, which opened in November 2011, is an 11,000-seat arena located in the core of Evansville's downtown district. The 290,000-square foot facility serves as home of Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League and the University of Evansville men's basketball team. The Ford Center also serves host to numerous sporting events and concerts on an annual basis.
The 2019 OVC Championships saw record-breaking attendance at the venue, as the men's semifinals drew an OVC neutral site record 8,294 fans, a mark that was broken the next night with an attendance of 10,525.
The OVC Basketball Tournament is the fourth-oldest Division I Championship in the country; the men's event will be held for the 63rd time this year. The women's championship is being contested for the 46th time.
This year's OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships are March 4-7, 2026.
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