NORFOLK, Va. — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will continue to call the Norfolk Scope Arena home — at least for the next few years.
In a release on Tuesday, MEAC announced it was extending its partnership with the City of Norfolk until 2027, with the extension effective after the 2023-24 season.
"We are thrilled to announce that the MEAC Council of Chief Executive Officers and membership have selected Norfolk, Virginia, to remain as the host city for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 MEAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament," said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. "This year will mark the 12th occasion the tournament has been hosted in Norfolk, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the city, showcasing the excitement of the games and highlighting the fan activities that make this tournament so special. We are grateful to Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, his staff and City Council Members for providing an outstanding experience for the MEAC and our fans year in and year out."
Before Norfolk began regularly hosting the tournament in 2013, it held the competition between 1991 and 1993, along with 1997.
Further, Norfolk is already home to the MEAC's headquarters and Norfolk State University, which is a member institution.
“Norfolk has proudly served as the host city for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference since 2013 and we look forward to continuing that partnership for the next three years," said Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander.
He added: "Norfolk is the ideal location for this tournament as a distinct and dynamic destination offering a unique experience for the alumni, student-athletes and fans.”
This year's MEAC Basketball Tournament will feature eight Division I historically black colleges and universities.
The MEAC Basketball Tournament has previously been hosted in Richmond, various cities in North Carolina, Baltimore, Maryland and several other cities.