West Central Reporter

The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Board of Presidents has confirmed that the OVC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships will continue to be held at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, through 2032. The Ford Center has hosted the championships since 2018, and a previous extension had secured the venue through 2026 with an option for 2027. This new five-year agreement ensures that Evansville remains home to the event into the next decade.

"The OVC is delighted to extend our partnership with the Evansville Regional Sports Commission and the Ford Center to continue hosting the OVC Basketball Championships in Evansville through 2032," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support we receive from local leaders led by Mayor Stephanie Terry, Evansville Regional Sports Commission Executive Director Brandon McClish, Ford Center Executive Director Scott Schoenike, and Local Organizing Committee chairs Jim Sandgren and Steve Schaffer. The OVC family truly loves bringing our marquee event to this community each year—it's like coming home. Given the warm welcome from the community, the exceptional venue, and Hoosier hospitality, this experience ensures we are providing OVC student-athletes with an exemplary championship experience fitting with the OVC's rich history of committing to excellence."

Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry expressed her enthusiasm about continuing to host: "Evansville is excited to continue our partnership with the Ohio Valley Conference through 2032. The Ford Center has proven itself as a premier venue, and hosting the OVC has become a true point of pride for our city. I'm proud of the strong relationships we've built with the OVC, and I look forward to seeing the players, coaches, parents, and fans fill our hotels, our local restaurants, coffee shops, and other downtown businesses for years to come."

Brandon McClish of the Evansville Regional Sports Commission highlighted how significant this ongoing relationship is: "We are thrilled to keep the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships right here in Evansville through 2032. This isn't just an extension—it's a true testament to the partnership between the OVC and our city. Evansville has become part of the OVC family, and that's only possible because of the incredible people and groups who keep rolling out the red carpet for student-athletes, fans, and families year after year—Mayor Terry's office, Downtown Evansville, our Local Organizing Committee, EVSC, E-REP, Explore Evansville, our hotel partners…the list goes on. This extension continues to show why Evansville is a true Championship City."

Western Illinois University representatives also welcomed news of stability for future tournaments at this site. Paul Bubb, Western Illinois Director of Athletics said: "Extending our conference agreement with the Ford Center and city of Evansville will provide a great championship environment for both our men's and women's basketball teams but more importantly for our fans who make trip over to this very special event. The arena provides a great championship environment; city is truly welcoming with accommodations as well as great restaurants & entertainment options in addition tournament."

WIU Men's Basketball Head Coach Chad Boudreau added: "We're excited that OVC Tournament will continue call Evansville home. It's great city takes pride hosting; players staff fans from Western Illinois have really enjoyed experience atmosphere organization community support make it first-class event program looks forward being part."

The Ford Center opened in November 2011 as an 11,000-seat arena in downtown Evansville. It hosts not only college basketball but also professional hockey games (Evansville Thunderbolts), concerts and other major sporting events.

The venue saw record attendance during past tournaments; notably in 2019 when over 10 thousand attended men’s semifinals—a neutral-site record for conference play.

The upcoming championships are scheduled for March 4–7 in 2026. The men’s tournament marks its 63rd edition while women’s championship celebrates its 46th year.