Baltimore is ready to prove why it is the perfect host for sporting events. From Feb. 25 to March 1, the CFG Bank Arena will host the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, bringing together the best HBCU matchups in an electric atmosphere.
The move from Charlotte to Baltimore isn’t just a geographical shift but a chance to recenter the focus on the game and community interaction itself. The city’s goal is to keep the light on the sports, people, and their performances. Baltimore wants the excitement of the competition to fuel supporters to cheer on their teams and give their full attention to the action on the court.
“CIAA and Baltimore go together like Old Bay and crabs—it just makes sense,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “For the fourth year in a row, we’re proud to host this historic tournament, bringing unmatched Black excellence, culture, and legacy right here to Charm City.”
Baltimore’s bustling charm includes a passionate fan base, a great sports legacy, and CFG Bank Arena’s state-of-the-art amenities, which guarantee fans can be engaged in the action rather than merely watching.
Beyond the Court
Maryland has emerged as an epicenter of Black leadership and culture, boasting the Country’s only Black Governor, a Black Mayor, and is home to one of the Country’s two Black women Senators. The city is a collage of creativity, history, and cultural diversity, saturated with live music and colorful street art and museums like the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, the largest African American museum in Maryland, and the Baltimore Times’ newly launched “Creatively Black Baltimore” pop-up exhibition. Tournament attendees can dive into these cultural hubs in between matchups to enhance the overall experience.
Baltimore‘s diverse attractions also range from historic neighborhoods like Fells Point to the memorable Inner Harbor, providing opportunities for exploration that both basketball fans and general tourists would enjoy getting lost in.
Come Hungry
So, what sets Baltimore apart from other cities? For starters, the city offers an incredibly diverse food scene, which is a direct reflection of its rich global roots. Visitors can sample this diverse food scene by enjoying some of Maryland’s famous crab cakes or indulging in Berger cookies.
Baltimore’s Black-owned Restaurant Tour, which features 20 restaurants from cozy cafés to upscale dining, adds another layer to the city’s vibrant dining scene and rich culture. This year-long initiative invites locals and tourists to sample diverse flavors while supporting the city’s black-owned businesses.
Same Place Next Year
Founded in 1912, the CIAA holds the honor of being the oldest historic Black athletic conference in the United States. With the agreement to stay in Baltimore until 2026, players and supporters can look forward to a distinct fusion of sport and Baltimore’s unique local culture as part of their tournament experience.
