Atlantic 10 women's basketball championship tournament to remain in Henrico through 2029
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The Atlantic 10 Conference has announced that it will keep its women's basketball championship tournament at the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Glen Allen through 2029.
The league has held the tournament at the Glen Allen arena each of the past two years and already was planning to hold it there again in 2026, so the announcement adds three additional years to that schedule — 2027, 2028, and 2029.
“The Henrico Sports & Events Center has been an exceptional host for the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship, and we are excited to extend this true partnership through 2029,” said A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “From a first-class venue for our student-athletes and coaches to the fan experience and overwhelming support from Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority and Richmond Region Tourism, HSEC will continue to be an outstanding home for the Atlantic 10 championship.”
The 185,000-square-foot indoor facility — developed through a public-private partnership between Henrico County and Rebkee Co. — is a key player in the county’s $100 million sports tourism strategy. Located at the redeveloped Virginia Center Commons site, the Center provides neutral-site setting for the A-10’s marquee women’s basketball event.
“This extension is a testament to the success we’ve built together and the high-caliber events the Henrico Sports and Events Center was designed to host,” said Dennis Bickmeier, executive director of the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority. “The Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship has delivered tremendous energy and economic benefit to our community, and we’re proud to continue welcoming the A-10 family to Henrico for March Madness.”
The Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, in partnership with Richmond Region Tourism, originally submitted the successful bid to bring the championship to Henrico in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Following successful A-10 Women’s Basketball Championships in 2024 and 2025, and with excitement building for the upcoming 2026 championship, we are thrilled to share in the announcement that the Richmond region will continue to host this premier event for an additional three years,” said Jerrine Lee, vice president of sales at Richmond Region Tourism. “No one does March Madness better than our community and we can’t wait to continue cheering on the incredible athletes and teams competing in the championship. We’re extremely proud to work alongside our partners at the Henrico Sports and Events Center to keep the event in the region.”
The facility accommodates as many as to 3,500 fans and features amenities tailored for championship play — including professional locker rooms, broadcast-ready infrastructure, and the same hardwood floor used during the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional.
Since opening in December 2023, the venue has elevated Henrico’s sports tourism reach and impact, with annual economic contributions expected to surpass $100 million from both indoor and outdoor event opportunities.
The Atlantic 10 includes 15 universities across nine states and the District of Columbia, including local members University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Championship coverage includes ESPN+, CBS Sports Network, Peacock and ESPNU.
