Huntsville lands CUSA tournaments through 2029
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
This year's CUSA basketball tournament starts Tuesday at the Von Braun Center. Photo: Courtesy of Huntsville Sports Commission
Huntsville will host the next three Conference USA Championships in basketball, volleyball and cross-country, CUSA announced Friday.
Why it matters: It's a big get for Huntsville as the city seeks to attract more sports events and bolster its reputation for first-class facilities.
- It's also expected to bring thousands of fans who will stay at local hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop at local stores.
Catch up quick: Huntsville first landed the basketball tournament three years ago, Joel Lamp, sports development manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, tells Axios.
- He said this is the first part of what they hope to build into a long-term partnership across multiple sports with CUSA, which is based in Dallas.
- Huntsville hosted the 2025 CUSA Cross Country Championships and the 2022 CUSA Volleyball Championships.
What they're saying: "When we got it three years ago, the idea was really, 'How do we make this a big event for Huntsville?'" Lamp told Axios. "This was our opportunity to host a piece of March Madness."
- "Huntsville has proven to be an exceptional host and partner," CUSA commissioner Judy MacLeod said in a release, noting "outstanding venues, hospitality and commitment to collegiate athletics."
Zoom in: This year's basketball tournament starts next week, running March 10–14 and bringing 20 men's and women's basketball teams to play for CUSA titles and NCAA tournament bids.
- Organizers expect around 4,000 fans to attend the 18-game, five-day event, Lamp said. "Downtown's going to be full."
Driving the news: A workforce development program runs Monday and Tuesday, via the CUSA's Stars of Tomorrow program — a partnership between the conference, city, Huntsville Sports Commission and Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
- Now in its second year, the program selects 20 students who will get real-world career exposure and an introduction to Huntsville's job market.
The bottom line: "We're building that hub of activity we envisioned a couple years ago," Lamp said. "Now schools and fans are saying they're really looking forward to coming to Huntsville."