More postseason college basketball is coming to Pittsburgh.

The Atlantic 10 announced Tuesday that its men’s basketball tournament will be held at PPG Paints Arena in 2026, returning to the city that was its host on an annual basis in its infancy from 1978-82.

Conference athletic directors last week finalized the decision to hold the tournament in Pittsburgh as part of the conference’s 50th anniversary celebration. The tournament most recently was held at PPG Paints Arena in 2017.

2026 #A10MBB Championship to @PPGPaintsArena

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— Atlantic 10 MBB (@A10MBB) May 21, 2024

Five of the first six tournaments were held at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena, which was located across the street from what is now PPG Paints Arena. West Virginia won the championship three times, Pitt and Duquesne once each. The exception was the first tournament in 1977 won by Duquesne in Philadelphia’s Spectrum. The Dukes also won the tournament championship this year.

“We are excited to return to Pittsburgh in 2026 to celebrate the league’s history in a city that was integral to the beginning of the Atlantic 10,” conference commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade said in a statement. “Pittsburgh is an amazing city with a very rich sports history. It has previously been a tremendous host for the A-10 Championship.”

PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, seats 19,000 for basketball and has been host for seven NCAA men’s basketball tournament preliminary rounds since 1997 and the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four.

“We are thrilled to host the Atlantic 10 Basketball Championship and celebrate its 50th anniversary at PPG Paints Arena,” Gary Desjardins, arena general manager, said in a statement. “This milestone event highlights our arena’s dedication to supporting major sporting events and delivering top-notch experiences in the region. The excitement surrounding this championship is palpable, and we are committed to making it an unforgettable experience for players, coaches, and fans alike.”

Pittsburgh was host to the initial A-10 meetings in 1976 where the framework of the Eastern 8 Basketball League, the conference’s forerunner, was developed. The Atlantic 10 office was first established in Pittsburgh in 1978.

“We’re excited to welcome the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship back to Pittsburgh, especially for its milestone anniversary in 2026,” SportsPITTSBURGH executive director Jennifer Hawkins said. “Of course, Pittsburghers will flock to cheer on the Dukes with hopes of another championship title, but we also invite other fans, friends and families to join us to support their teams and experience the camaraderie that we pride ourselves on along with all our city has to offer.”

Also at their meetings last week, A-10 athletic directors approved a return to the tournament’s five-day format (Wednesday-Sunday), beginning in 2025. This will eliminate the practice/news conference day between the quarterfinals and semifinals.

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