Monday, February 24, 2025, 5:30PM |  49°
MENU
Advertisement
The University of Akron NCAA college men's basketball team practices at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.  The Atlantic 10 Conference announced Tuesday that its men’s basketball tournament will return to Pittsburgh in 2026, to be held at PPG Paints Arena.
1
MORE

PPG Paints Arena to host Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament in 2026

Associated Press

PPG Paints Arena to host Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament in 2026

The Atlantic 10 Conference has an unmistakable bond with the city of Pittsburgh. Five of the league’s first six men’s basketball championships took place at the old Civic Arena — known as the Igloo, to the locals — and the league’s first office was founded in the Steel City in 1978.

For the conference’s 50th anniversary, the A-10 is now returning to its roots.

The A-10 announced Tuesday that its men’s basketball tournament will return to Pittsburgh in 2026, to be held at PPG Paints Arena. The arena, which is home to the Penguins, hosted the 2017 A-10 championships, which Rhode Island won. The location has also hosted multiple NCAA men’s basketball March Madness opening rounds in the last few years.

Advertisement

“We are excited to return to Pittsburgh in 2026 to celebrate the league’s history in a city that was integral to the beginning of the Atlantic 10,” A-10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade said in a statement announcing the decision. “Pittsburgh is an amazing city with a very rich sports history. It has previously been a tremendous host for the A-10 Championship, both in 2017 and in the first six years of the conference.”

Wide receiver DJ Powell is hoping to take the unbeaten path to the Steelers.
Jason Mackey
Jason Mackey: After making quick impression at Duquesne, DJ Powell trying to do the same with Steelers

In its statement, the A-10 noted Pittsburgh's history and proximity to the conference’s member schools, saying the city is “less than a seven-hour drive from 79 percent of the league’s footprint.”

The Civic Arena played host to the A-10 basketball championships in the conference’s infancy from 1978-82, back when it was known colloquially as the “Eastern 8,” with Villanova (1978, ’80), Rutgers (1979) and Pitt (1981, ’82) capturing titles during that time.

Duquesne won last season’s A-10 men’s basketball championship, making March Madness as a No. 11 seed and earning a first-round upset win against BYU in Omaha, Neb., the school’s first NCAA tournament win since 1969.

Advertisement

“We’re excited to welcome the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship back to Pittsburgh, especially for its milestone anniversary in 2026,” SportsPITTSBURGH executive director Jennifer Hawkins said in the statement. “Of course, Pittsburghers will flock to cheer on the Dukes with hopes of another championship title, but we also invite other fans, friends and families to join us to support their teams and experience the [camaraderie] that we pride ourselves on along with all our city has to offer.”

First Published: May 21, 2024, 8:48 p.m.
Updated: May 21, 2024, 11:36 p.m.

RELATED
Ohio State Buckeyes forward Gabby Hutcherson, left, looks for a pass against Penn State Nittany Lions guard and Peters Township graduate Makenna Marisa during an NCAA basketball game on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio.
Abby Schnable
College sports notes: Former Pitt player Gabby Hutcherson transfers to Duquesne
New Duquesne University men’s basketball head coach Dru Joyce sits for an interview with the Post-Gazette in his office in the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse at Duquesne Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Jason Mackey
Jason Mackey: How Dru Joyce III plans to keep the 'family business' thriving on the court at Duquesne
Tess Myers, a North Catholic grad and former Duquesne women's basketball player, will transfer to Wisconsin for her final college basketball season.
Kevin Murphy
North Catholic grad, Duquesne grad Tess Myers transferring to Wisconsin
Dru Joyce III was named the new head coach for the Duquesne University men's basketball team during a press conference on campus on Monday, April 1, 2024.
Abby Schnable
Duquesne's reshaping in focus under Dru Joyce III as Dukes add fresh faces out of transfer portal
SHOW COMMENTS (2)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Working Session in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025.
1
opinion
Bruce Ledewitz: The Supreme Court will step up and Trump will back down
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
2
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (27) intercepts a pass during a failed two-point conversion by the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in the North Shore. The Kansas City Chiefs won 29-10.
3
sports
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.24.25
La Grassa Pizza is now offering four-cut, late-night pies at The Vandal on Saturday nights.
4
life
Pittsburgh pizza news: La Grassa’s late-night pies and a big win for Mercurio’s
Pirates first-round pick Konnor Griffin hits against the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates top pick Konnor Griffin has raised eyebrows at spring training. Next step is learning to be a pro
The University of Akron NCAA college men's basketball team practices at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. The Atlantic 10 Conference announced Tuesday that its men’s basketball tournament will return to Pittsburgh in 2026, to be held at PPG Paints Arena.  (Associated Press)
Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story