Big South Tournament returning to Freedom Hall in 2027
Leaders of the Big South Conference have exercised their third-year option from their original contract with the city of Johnson City and will bring their men’s and women’s post-season tournament to Freedom Hall in 2027.
Big South Commissioner Sherika Montgomery called the city phenomenal partners in showcasing the conference’s premier events.
A city study showed tournament attendance increased compared with 2025 crowds and Johnson City experienced an $8 million dollar economic benefit by hosting the events.
Here is the statement released by Visit Johnson City on Friday regarding the Big South announcement:
The Big South Conference announced today that the league and Visit Johnson City have mutually exercised the third-year option to host the 2027 Conference Basketball Championships at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tenn. The original pact was a two-year agreement that included an option for a third. The 2027 tournament is scheduled for Wednesday-Sunday, March 3-7.
It will just be the third time in the conference’s 42-year history that the same facility will host the league’s marquee basketball championships three consecutive years — but the first non-campus “neutral” site with this distinction. In the first two years at Freedom Hall in 2025 and 2026, High Point University swept both men’s and women’s championships and automatics bids to the NCAA Tournament.
“On behalf of the Big South Conference, we look forward to delivering an elevated championship experience for our basketball student-athletes at the 2027 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships,” said Big South Commissioner Sherika A. Montgomery. “Visit Johnson City, Freedom Hall, and the greater Johnson City community have been phenomenal partners in showcasing the Conference’s premier event, and we are proud to continue building on that success.”
“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to welcome the Big South Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships back to Johnson City in 2027,” added Visit Johnson City Executive Director Brenda Whitson. “This event wonderfully showcases Johnson City and Washington County, and we are incredibly grateful for the Big South Conference’s continued partnership and confidence in our community. We look forward to delivering another phenomenal experience for all the student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”
The 2027 Big South Basketball Championships will continue the league’s staging of the combined tournaments that has occurred since 2022. In addition, the postseason events have been conducted at the same site now 15 times: 1997-98 (Lynchburg, Va. – campus), 1999-00 (Asheville, N.C. – neutral), 2001-02 (Roanoke, Va. – neutral), 2013-15 (Conway, S.C. – campus), 2022-23 (Charlotte, N.C. – neutral), 2024 (High Point, N.C. – campus) and 2025-27 (Johnson City – neutral). Basketball Championship hosting bid cycles and formats for 2028 and beyond will be determined in the months ahead.
(GRAPHIC: Property of Big South Conference / Official Facebook)
