CIAA Invites Fans To Live The Legacy At The 2019 Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament

CHARLOTTE, North Caolina -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s first African-American athletic conference, will host the 2019 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, NC, February 25 – March 2, 2019. Ranked 3rd among the most attended and anticipated NCAA events, the CIAA Basketball Tournament currently draws over 150,000 fans.

The tournament will feature the conference’s 13-member institutions, including its newest member Claflin University. This year’s 24-game bracket will begin at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Monday evening, Feb. 25, to accommodate a new round of games and will conclude with the highly-anticipated championship semi-finals and finals at the Spectrum Center on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2.

Tickets for the 2019 tournament go on sale Thursday, Nov. 1 at Ticketmaster.com. All-Session 24-game packages start at $200 and include all men’s and women’s games beginning Monday, February 25 – Wednesday, February 27th at Bojangles’ Coliseum and at the Spectrum Center from Thursday, February 28 to Saturday, March 2nd. Single-session tickets will go on sale in early February. The CIAA Tournament will again offer both open seating options to get close to the action as well as reserved sections in center court, Founder’s Level and Courtside. Proceeds from all ticket sales support scholarships for students attending CIAA member schools.

As part of its 2019 “Live the Legacy” campaign, the CIAA is offering a variety of ticket packages to suit a variety of budgets. On sale Nov. 1-22, the 1912 Legacy Package includes 3 hotel nights for the price of 2 nights with an all-session pass. More packages will be announced throughout the season.

Single and multi-day 16, 18 and 22 seat suites are also available to sororities, fraternities, businesses, and for family and friend reunions at the Spectrum Center at approximately
$90 per person. To reserve a suite, contact the CIAA Office at (704) 910-2133. Additional ticket package sales and information can be found at www.ciaatournament.org.

For the best available lodging rates at more than 25 hotels in the Uptown Charlotte area, tournament attendees are encouraged to utilize Conference Direct, the CIAA’s hotel booking partner. Lodging options are within a short walk, Lynx rail stop, or quick car ride to Bojangles’ Coliseum, Spectrum Center, Charlotte Convention Center, and the EpiCentre where official CIAA events will be hosted. Hotel reservations can be made online at www.ciaatournament.org or via phone at 844-293-6678 on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In 2018, the CIAA Basketball Tournament brought over 150,000 fans to Charlotte during the week of competition with an economic impact of $50.5 million. Since 2000, the CIAA has generated more than $650 million in economic impact and an average of $500 million in the state of North Carolina.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA)
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, ‘Charlotte’s got a lot.' For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.

CIAA MEDIA RELATIONS