Featured Event Highlight: 2026 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Tournament
Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission provided full event facilitation, with destination and operational support for the Southern Conference (SoCon) Basketball Tournament, hosted at Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Coordination with venue partners and key stakeholders ensured a seamless experience for participants, staff, and visitors throughout tournament week.
The tournament relied on more than 150 volunteers, with special recognition given to F.I.R.S.T and the ABRSC core volunteer team. Championship night brought over 6,000 fans into the arena, delivering a high‑energy finale in downtown Asheville.
The robust weeklong of community engagement festivities continues to grow with Education Days, Downtown Dribble, which welcomed 950 registered participants, and Hometown Heroes. The event featured appearances by UNC Greensboro and Furman University cheer and dance teams, the Greensboro band and mascot, and interactive booths hosted by the City of Asheville and First Tee of WNC.
This successful collaboration strengthened ABRSC’s relationship with Southern Conference partners and supported future hosting opportunities, culminating in a ten‑year extension that reinforces Asheville’s long‑term role as a trusted SoCon destination.
Congratulations to the Women’s Samford Bulldogs and the Men’s Furman Paladins for being the 2026 SoCon Basketball Champions!
“The Southern Conference has a long history with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission that has helped us to build one of the most successful conference college basketball tournaments in collegiate sports. From helping to drive sponsorships, ticket sales, community engagement and event coordination, it’s been a true partnership in every sense of the word. Having just signed a new 10-year agreement to keep our conference basketball tournament in Asheville, we are excited to get to continue working with the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission into the foreseeable future.”
- Geoff Cabe, Senior Associate Commissioner, The Southern Conference