The Big 12 basketball tournaments have reached an agreement to remain in Kansas City until 2031.
In Kansas City, Missouri, Commissioner Brett Yormark announced that the Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will stay at the T-Mobile Center until 2031. This decision came just before the Texas and Iowa State women’s championship game, marking the first time it was held in the modern arena. Previously, the women’s tournament was held at the historic Municipal Auditorium nearby, but the move to the T-Mobile Center aimed to elevate its prominence.
Yormark’s goal, upon assuming leadership of the Big 12, was to enhance the women’s tournament’s visibility, necessitating the shift to the T-Mobile Center and rearranging the championship dates to coincide with the men’s tournament. Expressing enthusiasm for the community support and likening the atmosphere to a Super Bowl, Yormark emphasized the decision to extend the tournaments’ stay in Kansas City.
Originally planned to remain in Kansas City until 2027, the extension now adds another four years. This decision coincides with the Big 12’s expansion westward, incorporating teams from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, thus providing alternative hosting options like Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Acknowledging the conference’s national scope and diverse geographical spread, Yormark affirmed Kansas City as the rightful home for basketball and women’s soccer championships. Additionally, he revealed that the Big 12 women’s soccer championship would relocate to CPKC Stadium, the first stadium built for a women’s professional soccer club in the U.S., hosting the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Mayor Quinton Lucas echoed excitement about these developments, emphasizing Kansas City’s historical connection with the Big 12 and expressing eagerness to continue showcasing the city’s charm and sporting heritage.
