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MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ashley Greenstein
agreenstein@exploreasheville.com
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THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE, EXPLORE ASHEVILLE, ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE COUNTY REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION, AND HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CENTER - ASHEVILLE ANNOUNCE 10-YEAR CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS PARTNERSHIP
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 19, 2025) – The Southern Conference (SoCon), City of Asheville, Explore Asheville powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and the Asheville-Buncombe Regional Sports Commission announced today a new 10-year agreement extending Asheville's role as the host city of the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships through 2035. It’s All Here.
The announcement made at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville reaffirms a long-standing partnership between the four entities and the conference's commitment to Asheville and Buncombe County. The Asheville community and supporting organizations have collectively shaped the tournament into one of the premier college basketball events in the United States.
"This 10-year extension represents one of the most significant and stable championship partnerships in all of collegiate athletics," said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. "Very few conference basketball tournaments can claim the kind of continuity and deep-rooted connection that we've built with Asheville over the past quarter-century. This isn't just about finding a venue – Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville has become synonymous with the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships, and our student-athletes, coaches, and fans have created memories here that will last a lifetime.”
"The passion of this community and the volunteers, the exceptional management of the Harrah's Cherokee Center, and the unwavering support from our partners at Explore Asheville and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission made this decision the right one for the SoCon. We're not just extending a contract; we're affirming a competitive legacy to create the next decade of championship moments. With basketball, volleyball, and wrestling all calling Asheville home, we couldn't be more proud or excited about our future here."
SoCon Championships in Asheville
INGLES SOCON BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The extension builds on more than a decade of collaboration that has driven strong attendance, community engagement, significant economic impact, and unforgettable moments. The Ingles Southern Conference Championships have been held in Asheville from 1984 to 1995 and from 2012 to the present, spanning a combined 26 years.
“Having been the host agency for the past 14 editions of the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Tournament, the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission is thrilled to continue its involvement for the foreseeable future with this extension,” said Chris Smith, President of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. “Coming off of arguably the most successful tournament ever, the bar is high, but we know that through a collaborative effort, the tournament can achieve even greater heights. Knowing what this tournament historically means to our community in both entertainment value and economic impact makes this a landmark day.”
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The Ingles Southern Conference Volleyball Championships will take place at Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville November 20-23, 2025. The tournament is coming to Asheville for the first time as a neutral-site event. VIP Courtside and General Admission tickets are available here. All teams except VMI will participate in the championship event for an opportunity to play in the NCAA’s championship tournament.
WRESTLING
The 2026 Explore Asheville Southern Conference Wrestling Championships will be held again at UNC Asheville's Kimmel Arena March 6-7, 2026. The event coincides with the conference's basketball championships in downtown Asheville, creating a lively week of SoCon athletic excitement and boosting local tourism and community engagement.
"The Asheville area has a long history with the Southern Conference—Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority are proud that our partnership roots run deep," said Vic Isley, president & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Authority. "Our investment in the ExploreAsheville.com Arena played a vital role in bringing SoCon back to Asheville in 2012, and we are absolutely delighted to be a part of the team to secure their home in Asheville for the next decade. The spirit of sport, competition, resilience and pride are on display for our destination, teams, families and fans to continue inspiring economic vitality and community engagement."
Tournament Week Events
The Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships have a long-standing tradition in Asheville. This year, more community events surrounding the games are planned thanks to an expanded partnership between the SoCon and Explore Asheville.
THE SOCON SOIREE
For the first time, the SoCon Hall of Fame Ceremony at the SoCon Soiree, presented by Explore Asheville, will take place in Asheville in conjunction with SoCon Week. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 5, at Battery Park Hall. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class features Georgia Southern football coach and Newland, NC, native Paul Johnson (1997-2001), The Citadel football standout Paul Maguire (1957-1959), Davidson men's basketball coach Bob McKillop (1992-2014), Furman women's basketball student-athlete and coach Jackie Smith Carson (1996-2000, 2010-2023) and App State men's soccer legend Thompson Usiyan (1977-1980). For the first time in the Hall of Fame's existence, teams were eligible for nomination, and the iconic 2007 Appalachian State Football team was the top vote-getter.
BUSINESS LEADER FORUM
The 2026 SoCon Business Leader Forum, presented by Explore Asheville, is set for Friday, March 6, at 3:00 pm at Battery Park Hall. This year's featured speaker is Western North Carolina native and Naismith Hall of Famer Roy Williams, who won 903 games during a decorated career and led North Carolina to NCAA titles in 2005, 2009, and 2017. Tickets for the event are $75, with all proceeds benefiting the Always Asheville Fund.
The exclusive forum provides regional business leaders with the opportunity to hear Coach Williams share candid insights. Topics include building high-performing and resilient teams, leading with empathy and integrity, and driving sustained success through change and adversity.
DOWNTOWN DRIBBLE
The Southern Conference and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission are excited to present the Downtown Dribble & KidsFest presented by Champion Credit Union. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, and will take place at Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park (80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801).
Festivities feature inflatables, pep bands, cheerleaders, and, of course, the Downtown Dribble parade, which starts at Roger McGuire Green and ends at the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Each participant will receive a basketball, a Downtown Dribble t-shirt, and a ticket to the Noon session quarterfinal basketball games. Parents can purchase a discounted ticket at registration for $15.00. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville Box Office. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Pack Square Park, with the Downtown Dribble Parade starting at 11:15 a.m.
Tickets On Sale
Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships, with games played from March 5-9, 2026, inside the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, the iHeart Media Asheville Box Office at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville, and the ticket offices of participating SoCon member institutions.
Ticket options include all-session books, VIP reserved seating, and courtside hospitality packages. Single-session tickets will be available closer to the event. Championship week will feature numerous fan experience promotions, including the annual Downtown Dribble, Education Days, Hometown Heroes Night, and Family Night.
Tickets for other SoCon Championship events in Asheville, including volleyball and wrestling, are available now. Click on SoConTickets.com for more information.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
The Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes ten member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College. Tennessee Tech University will join the SoCon as a full member for the 2026-27 season.
ABOUT EXPLORE ASHEVILLE
Explore Asheville is the official destination marketing and management organization for one of the most deeply rooted and creative destinations in the Southeast. Explore Asheville is powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a public authority that has been investing in and building community since 1983. The authority has committed more than $110 million in grants to more than 50 community projects, including sports venues, as well as over $2.18 million in grants through the Always Asheville Fund to more than 400 small travel and hospitality businesses to reopen in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
ABOUT ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION
Since 2010, the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission has worked to identify and attract sporting events and related meetings to enhance the health, wellness and quality of life for Asheville residents and sports enthusiasts in the region of Western North Carolina. Generating a positive economic impact while promoting our region as a recognized top tier sporting destination. The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission team works with event organizers, both locally and nationally, to showcase the Asheville community and its sports venues as the ideal location for their next event. Asheville Buncombe County Sports Commission is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit with the mission to host memorable sporting events while enriching lives of sports organizations and the community served.
ABOUT HCCA
Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville (HCCA), which features the ExploreAsheville.com Arena and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, annually hosts a diverse array of events that reflect the creativity, uniqueness, and artistry for which Asheville, N.C., and Western North Carolina are known. In recent years, the facility has hosted world-class sporting events such as NBA Preseason Games, two Billie Jean King Cups Ties, the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball & Volleyball Championships, Blue Ridge Volleyball Championship, Asheville Championship, and the Camping World Maui Invitational as well as music and performances by Bob Dylan, The Lumineers, Dave Chappelle, John Prine, Old Dominion, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves, Widespread Panic, Billy Strings, Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam, and more. For more information, visit HarrahsCherokeeCenterAsheville.com.
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