Atlantic City, NJ, Among 3 Cities Vying to Host Next MAAC Basketball Tournament

The 2023 MACC Basketball Championships are set to return to Atlantic City March-7-11 at historic Boardwalk Hall.

This is the final year of the deal for the tournament to be played in “America's Playground", but will it be returning in 2024?

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Last week we wrote that MAAC commissioner Rich Ensor sent out a tweet that suggested the league could be looking for a new home starting in 2024.

I reached out to Ensor last week, who told me that Atlantic City was one of three finalist to host the 2024 MAAC championships. Contracts are generally three year deals, but that can be negotiated.

There is an update this week, with Ensor announcing the three finalist, MVP Arena in Albany, UBS Arena in Elmont, home of the New York Islanders and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

According to sources MVP Arena and Boardwalk Hall are considered the leading candidates because they would host all 22 games. UBS Arena would like to only host the semifinals and finals with the early round games being played on campus.

According to a report in the Times Union, Boardwalk Hall is considered the front-runner, according to a league source.

The league has had a rocky existence in Atlantic City with COVID-19 cancelling the 2020 tournament and the 2021 tournament having attendance restricted to family and special guests due COVID-19.

The 2022 tournament had the St. Peter's win the tournament in front of a tremendous crowd of over 14,000 at Boardwalk Hall on Championship Saturday as the Peacocks knocked off Monmouth in the championship game.

I am hoping the league and Boardwalk Hall can bring the MAAC back, its a very competitive league and a great family event that brings plenty of fans to the city.