NEW ORLEANS – The Sun Belt Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships will return to Pensacola for the fifth-straight season from March 4-10, 2025. Twenty-eight teams—14 men’s and 14 women’s—will compete in 26 games over seven days, with the two victors punching their tickets to March Madness.
The Sun Belt Conference will be offering a number of promotions in conjunction with its theme days throughout this year’s championships. All ticket promotions are available exclusively in-person at the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office.
MARDI GRAS DAY
On Tuesday, March 4, all patrons wearing purple, green or gold may purchase buy one, get one free $25 or $15 adult tickets for either Mardi Gras Day session.
EDUCATION DAY
On Wednesday, March 5, all Escambia and Santa Rosa County students and teachers may purchase $5 tickets ($25 or $15 seats) for either Education Day session.
YOUTH DAY
On Thursday, March 6, all youth—eighth grade and younger—will receive free admission ($25 or $15 seats) for either Youth Day session.
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
On Friday, March 7, all patrons with a valid military ID may purchase $5 tickets ($25 or $15 seats) for the evening Military Appreciation Day session.
FAN FEST & DRIBBLE DRIVE
On Saturday, March 8, all fans are invited to the free Kia Autosport of Pensacola Fan Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Pensacola Bay Center. The event will include food vendors, music and fun for all ages. Youth ages 3-12 may also register for the free Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Dribble Drive at
SunBeltSports.org/DribbleDrive. Participants will receive a free t-shirt, a free basketball and two free tickets to the men’s and women’s quarterfinal games. Registration is limited to 650 participants.
SEMIFINAL SUNDAY
On Sunday, March 9, please join us for Semifinal Sunday, where eight teams will vie for the opportunity to compete for a Sun Belt tournament title on national television on Championship Monday.
CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY
On Monday, March 10, please join us for Championship Monday, where two teams will cut down the nets and punch their tickets to March Madness. The Sun Belt women’s basketball championship game will be nationally broadcast at 1 p.m. CT on ESPN2, with the Sun Belt men’s basketball championship game to follow at 6 p.m. CT on either ESPN or ESPN2. Both championship games will feature a halftime performance from contemporary violinist Dominique Hammons.
As part of the league’s ongoing partnership with Pensacola Sports and Visit Pensacola, the Sun Belt Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships will be contested in Pensacola through 2030.