ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Ingles Southern Conference basketball tournaments return to Asheville this week, tipping off five days of men’s and women’s competition along with community events across downtown.

The 2026 Ingles Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held March 5-9 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. Tournament week has become an annual rite of spring in Asheville, drawing student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans from across the Southeast.

The winners of the men’s and women’s championships will earn the conference’s automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament.

Community events planned

Several events are scheduled throughout the week:

• Hall of Fame at the SoCon Soiree will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Battery Park Hall. The event will include Hall of Fame inductions and recognition of Community Champion award recipients.
• Downtown Dribble & KidsFest, presented by Champion Credit Union, is set for Saturday at Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The free event will feature inflatables, pep bands, cheerleaders and a parade.
• The Ingles Mascot Challenge will run throughout the tournament, with Ingles Markets awarding $1,000 to the winning mascot’s athletic scholarship program. An additional $1,000 donation will be made on behalf of that school to Hoops Against Hunger.

Transportation and street closures

A free Ingles Fan Trolley will operate continuously March 5-9, connecting downtown hotels, parking areas and the arena. Find the schedule here.

Street closures around the Harrah’s Cherokee Center are scheduled as follows:

• Flint Street between Haywood Street and Cherry Street
• Hiawassee Street between Flint Street and Rankin Avenue

Closures will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday, with varying end times each day through Monday night. City officials encourage attendees to arrive early and check real-time parking availability through the city’s website or mobile app.

Women’s tournament schedule

Women’s quarterfinals begin Thursday:

• No. 1 Chattanooga vs. No. 8 Western Carolina, 11 a.m.
• No. 2 ETSU vs. No. 7 UNCG, 1:15 p.m.
• No. 3 Wofford vs. No. 6 Samford, 3:30 p.m.
• No. 4 Furman vs. No. 5 Mercer, 5:45 p.m.

Semifinals are Friday at 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., with the championship game set for noon Sunday.

Men’s tournament schedule

The men’s tournament opens Friday:

• No. 8 Chattanooga vs. No. 9 The Citadel, 5 p.m.
• No. 7 UNCG vs. No. 10 VMI, 7:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals will be played Saturday beginning at noon, followed by semifinals Sunday at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.

Tickets remain available through the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville box office and online portal. Organizers say additional information on brackets, ticket packages and area accommodations is available at soconinasheville.com.