FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Steve Crano, scrano@choosechicago.com, (312) 567-8505
Colleen Quinn, cquinn@unitedcenter.com, (773) 746-7772
Chicago to Host 2026 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament
Men’s Tournament will return to Chicago’s United Center for 12th time
CHICAGO (July 31, 2024) – Today, Choose Chicago, the Chicago Sports Commission, and the United Center joined the Big Ten Conference to announce that the 2026 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held in Chicago at the United Center, taking place March 11 – 15, 2026. Returning to Chicago for the first time since 2023, the 2026 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament will mark the 12th time that Chicago has hosted the tournament at the United Center and the fifth since the creation of the Chicago Sports Commission in 2011. The announcement is the latest marquee sporting event to choose Chicago and continues to solidify our city’s reputation as a world-class sports destination.
“I am thrilled to welcome the Big Ten Conference back to Chicago for the 2026 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament,” said Choose Chicago Interim President and CEO Rich Gamble. “Marquee sporting events like this are great opportunities to showcase our city, and we look forward to working with the United Center and all of our local partners to show Big Ten athletes, coaches, and fans an incredible time in Chicago.”
“Chicago has long been an iconic sports destination and a proud partner of the Big Ten Conference,” said Kara Bachman, Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission. “On behalf of Chicago’s sports community, we are excited to bring the Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament back to Chicago in 2026. There is no better place than Chicago’s United Center for major sporting events like this and we can’t wait to make this a memorable event.”
“We are excited to welcome back the Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2026 and showcase our world-class arena and city,” said Joe Myhra, COO, United Center. “Together, Chicago and the United Center have garnered a rich history of some of the most iconic sports and entertainment moments and events, and we are committed to providing an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike.”
“We look forward to partnering with the city of Chicago as they host the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “Chicago will be an exciting post-season opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans, both locally and from across the country.”
The announcement of Chicago as the host city for the 2026 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament continues Chicago’s long-standing tradition of hosting major sporting events. This week, the Premier League announced Chicago as the host of their the 10th Premier League Mornings Live Fan Festival this September. Earlier this month, Chicago hosted the second NASCAR Chicago Street Race, welcoming tens of thousands of attendees to Chicago for a sports event unlike any other. Earlier this year, the NHL announced that the 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic is coming to Chicago and Wrigley Field.
###
About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city, its residents and our partner business community. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X/Twitter and tag #ChicaGOandKNOW. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
About the Chicago Sports Commission
With a vision of establishing Chicago as the #1 U.S. destination for sports tourism, the Chicago Sports Commission recruits and supports high-profile, major sporting events that drive significant economic impact and positive exposure for the city of Chicago. The Chicago Sports Commission launched in 2011 as a part of Choose Chicago. A registered 501(c)6, the Chicago Sports Commission is comprised of a dedicated full-time staff and supported by a Corporate Partner program, which makes up the Chicago Sports Commission’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
About the United Center
The United Center is a 960,000 square-foot multi-use entertainment facility in Chicago that has welcomed more than 70 million fans since opening in 1994. Home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), the United Center is the third busiest arena in the world hosting more than 200 events each year, including the best sporting events, musical performers, family shows and special events in the industry. A commitment to creating iconic stories and providing superior service makes the United Center one of the premiere venues in the world. For more information, visit UnitedCenter.com.
