SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference (SoCon) unveiled a redesigned tournament format for the 2027 Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships on Monday. The expanded structure will feature all nine programs on the women’s side, and all 11 men’s programs.  
Key adjustments include an expanded opening round and revised path to the title game. The championships will return to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center- Asheville on March 3-7, 2027.  
“The release of the brackets always creates another level of excitement as we begin looking ahead to the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships in Asheville. This year will be particularly special as we welcome Tennessee Tech to the tournament for the first time and expand the championship with two additional games,” said Geoff Cabe, SoCon Interim Commissioner. 
The women’s tournament will tip off on March 3 with a first-round matchup between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds at 6 p.m. On the men’s side, opening day expands from two to three games, featuring matchups between the No. 10 and No. 11 seeds, No. 8 and No. 9 seeds, and No. 6 and No. 7 seeds at 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., respectively. 
“These additions enhance a tremendous week of basketball and community activities, said Cabe. “One of the things that makes March special in the Southern Conference is that when the tournament begins, every team arrives with the same goal and the same opportunity — to win a championship.” 
The 2026-27 SoCon basketball season opens with nonconference play on Monday, Nov. 2. 

You can access the updated brackets here: MEN'S | WOMEN'S 
About The Southern Conference  
The Southern Conference (SoCon), founded in 1921 and headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is an NCAA Division I conference comprised of 11 member institutions across the Southeast. The SoCon sponsors 19 championship sports and is recognized for its tradition of athletic achievement, academic excellence, and student-athlete development. #ItsAllHere