For the third straight year, the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament brought a record number of fans to Greenville — 71,910, to be exact. Is Greenville cementing itself as a hoops destination? It seems that way, because there is even more basketball in our future.

Next year when the SEC Tournament wraps, Bon Secours Wellness Arena will immediately flip for the NCAA Tournament, with the first and second rounds scheduled for March 19 + March 21.

Plus, the SEC’s agreement with Greenville for the Women’s Basketball Tournament will continue through 2028 after a three-year deal was signed in October 2024.

Each of these events generates millions of dollars in economic impact for our city.

"Our team is proud to be a part of a community that understands the positive impact of hosting premier sport events for both local businesses and the hospitality industry," VisitGreenvilleSC President and CEO Heath Dillard tells us.

It was also just announced that "The Real SC Series" featuring the University of South Carolina + University of Southern California will kick off on the West Coast (Nov. 15, 2025 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles) and finish on the East Coast (Nov. 15, 2026 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena).

“We've shown to be a community that can be welcoming of lots of different visitors from all over the country, that we can support women's basketball and high-caliber events,” Dillard said. “And it just puts us in a position to host really cool stuff into the future.”