Saying that the conference wanted to expand the basketball tournament, SWAC Commissioner Charles McClelland announced that the league will hold the event in Atlanta starting in 2025.
At SWAC football media on Tuesday, McClelland indicated that the basketball tournament is moving from Birmingham, Alabama, to the Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, next year.
The move will also bring about a new format. In 2025, 10 men’s and women’s teams will be tournament qualifiers before shifting to 12 teams per side in 2026.
McClelland said that the transition to a new location is more than just about basketball.
“We’re going to have all types of events,” he said. “We’re talking about blocking off the hotels. It is going to be within walking distance (to the arena). We’re going to have concerts. We’re going to have day parties.
“We’ve talked about expanding our tournament in making it a larger event. Well, that’s going to start in 2025.”
Gateway Center Arena, a 3,500-seat venue for basketball, is home to the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA.
