For the 25th time in the past 26 years, the Greensboro Coliseum will host the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament next week. The historic venue has been the epicenter of the conference’s postseason action for decades, but change could be on the horizon.
With the ACC set to move its headquarters to Charlotte and the 2027 tournament already locked in for the Queen City, the big question remains – where will the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament be held in 2026?
The ACC Women’s Tournament Has Deep Roots in Greensboro
There’s no denying that Greensboro, North Carolina, has been the heart and soul of ACC women’s basketball for decades. The city has hosted the tournament more than any other location, becoming a staple of March Madness for the conference.
Last season’s tournament saw over 67,000 fans fill the Greensboro Coliseum across five days, marking the event’s highest attendance since 2009. More than 9,100 fans packed the arena for the championship game between Notre Dame and NC State, while 679,000 people tuned in on ESPN – making it the most-watched ACC women’s basketball final ever.
The tournament’s history and success in Greensboro have set a high bar. However, with women’s basketball booming in popularity and attendance, the ACC is exploring new possibilities for its 2026 tournament.
What’s the Latest on the 2026 ACC Tournament Location?
As of now, the ACC has yet to finalize a location for the 2026 tournament. Jackie Carson, the ACC’s Senior Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball, recently addressed the uncertainty, confirming that discussions are still ongoing.
“2026 is yet to be announced, yet to be finalized,” Carson said on The Women’s Basketball Podcast. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to announce 2026 in the near future, but nothing is finalized right now.”
Carson also noted that ACC coaches have long pushed for the tournament to rotate between different venues, similar to the men’s ACC Tournament, which has been hosted in cities like Charlotte, Brooklyn, Washington D.C., and Atlanta over the past two decades.
Aside from a one-time move to Conway, South Carolina, in 2017 due to North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2 (HB2), the ACC Women’s Tournament has remained firmly in Greensboro. But with the sport’s rising popularity and increased demand for marquee events, there’s growing momentum for a shift.
2026 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament: Possible Host Cities
If the ACC opts to move the tournament in 2026, several potential venues could make sense within the conference’s traditional footprint:
- Gas South Arena (Duluth, Georgia) – Located in the Atlanta suburbs, this 13,100-seat venue has hosted major basketball events, including the 2010 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament and Game 3 of the 2013 WNBA Finals.
- KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, Kentucky) – One of the premier basketball arenas in the country, the KFC Yum! Center seats over 22,000 fans and has been the home of Louisville’s women’s basketball program, which has led the ACC in attendance for the past seven seasons.
- VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, Florida) – With a capacity of 14,091, this venue has hosted multiple NCAA men’s basketball tournament games and could provide a warm-weather destination for fans.
- GreenCity Arena (Richmond, Virginia)—This brand–new arena, a potential dark horse candidate, is expected to be completed by 2026. If ready in time, it could offer a fresh, modern venue for the tournament.
- Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, North Carolina) – While the ACC is weighing its options, there’s always the chance that the tournament remains in its longtime home for another year.
As the ACC weighs its options, one thing is clear: women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented growth, and the conference has a prime opportunity to capitalize on its momentum. Whether the tournament remains in its longtime home of Greensboro or moves to a new city, the decision will shape the future of ACC women’s basketball for years to come.
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With passionate fan bases, rising TV ratings, and increased investment in the sport, the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament is more than just a postseason event; it’s a showcase of elite talent and competition. Wherever it lands in 2026, one thing is certain: the stakes will be high, and the action will be unforgettable.
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