Baltimore Leaders to Evaluate Future of CIAA Tournament

Baltimore's leadership will convene Wednesday to assess the outcomes of the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament and outline plans for the upcoming men's and women's basketball events.

Scheduled for February 23 to February 28, 2026, the tournament will return to Baltimore, a city that has embraced the event since it relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2021. The current agreement ensures the tournament remains in Baltimore through 2026.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker are anticipated to share insights regarding the tournament's trajectory during this meeting.

The 2025 tournament marked its fifth consecutive year in Baltimore, celebrating female athletes with initiatives such as a women's empowerment town hall and various events spotlighting leaders in women's sports.

In February, the tournament attracted approximately 15,000 student-athletes and fans to the city. Economic impact reports indicate that the event generated $32.5 million for Baltimore in 2024, creating 1,315 job opportunities and contributing $3.1 million in state and local taxes.

Local businesses and tourism officials eagerly anticipate the annual economic uplift that accompanies the tournament. Last year, Visit Baltimore introduced the Bop Pass, a complimentary digital guide offering discounts at over 40 local establishments, including restaurants and museums, with a focus on promoting Black-owned businesses.

"It gives us an opportunity to be on a larger platform and to showcase what we do as a local business, just not for the local people, but the people that are coming in and may not make it here," stated Travis Bell, founder of Black Acres Roastery, reflecting on the benefits of such initiatives.