Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship Returning to Pittsburgh

The Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Basketball Championship will return to Pittsburgh in 2026 at PPG Paints Arena, the league announced this week after finalizing the agreement during its annual spring meetings.

The A-10 will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025–2026, culminating with the championship in the Steel City where five of the first six A-10 championships were held from 1978–1982. Duquesne, the league’s Pittsburgh school, won the inaugural championship in 1977. The Dukes also recently won the 2024 championship, advancing to the NCAA round of 32.

“We’re excited to welcome the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship back to Pittsburgh, especially for its milestone anniversary in 2026,” said SportsPittsburgh Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins. “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 comradery that we pride ourselves on along with all our city has to offer.”

The league has deep ties to Pittsburgh beyond Duquesne. The city hosted meetings in 1976 where the framework of the Eastern 8 Basketball League, the forerunner to today’s Atlantic 10 Conference, was developed. Additionally, the first league office was established in Pittsburgh in 1978.

“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,” said Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “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.”

The directors also approved a return to a five-day format (Wednesday-Sunday) for the Men’s Basketball Championship, beginning with the 2025 tournament which will be in Washington, D.C. The women’s tournament will remain through 2025 at the 3,500-seat Henrico Sports & Events Center in Virginia.

The championship had a five-year tenure in Pittsburgh from 1978 through 1982 at the Civic Arena, known as The Igloo. The Atlantic 10 returned to the region in 2017, with Rhode Island winning the championship at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh is less than a seven-hour drive for 79 percent of the league’s footprint. PPG Paints Arena, with a basketball capacity of 19,000, has hosted multiple NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament preliminary rounds, including in 2024, and the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four. The arena is home to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

“We are thrilled to host the Atlantic 10 Basketball Championship and celebrate its 50th anniversary at PPG Paints Arena,” said Gary Desjardins, general manager of PPG Paints Arena. “This milestone event highlights our arena’s dedication to supporting major sporting events and delivering top-notch experiences in the region. The excitement surrounding this championship is palpable and we are committed to making it an unforgettable experience for players, coaches, and fans alike.”