Sponsored Content

2020 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships this weekend in Asheville

Sponsored by
Basketball player shooting a hoop

The 2020 Southern Conference Basketball Championships are March 5-9 in Asheville | Photo provided

TODD DREXLER

Table of Contents

March Madness is making its way to Asheville this weekend. From Thursday-Monday (March 5-9), the Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships presented by General Shale are tipping off at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville (formerly the U.S. Cellular Center). 🏀

What’s at stake:

The winning team will punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Who will join them?

How to get tickets:

Ticket packages and single-session tickets are still available, including options like:

  • General Admission Tournament Book: $120
  • General Admission Single Session: $20
  • Youth (6-12) / SoCon Student Single Session: $10
  • And more.

Where to stay:

If you have family coming into town or want to make a #staycation out of it, several AVL hotels – like Hyatt Place + Cambria Downtown Asheville – are offering discount fan rates.

What’s going on:

There’s a full schedule of events to keep fans busy on + off the court, like:

  • The Ingles SoCon Fan Experience | Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday + Sunday at 11 a.m. + Monday at 6 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | Free for ticket holders | Running until the final buzzer each day, ft. basketball-themed activities, a big screen gaming area + more.
  • Downtown Dribble & Kids Fest presented by Champion Credit Union | Sat, March 7 | 9-11:30 a.m. | Pack Square | Free | Cheerleaders, bands, games for kids, mascots + more. Kids participating in Downtown Dribble contest will receive a free t-shirt + basketball, plus free admission to the men’s quarterfinal session at noon.
  • Hometown Heroes Night | Mon, March 9 | 7 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Honoring members of the military, fire, police, emergency + medical services, charitable organizations, government + civil service at the men’s championship game.

Ways to give back:

  • Hoops Against Hunger | Throughout tournament | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville concourse + at all host hotels | Bins will be available to donate food like canned goods, peanut butter + cereal during the tournament.
  • SoCon Teddy Bear Toss | Sun, March 8 | 4 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Make a donation to the Mountain Child Advocacy Center + receive a stuffed teddy bear to throw on the court during the 2020 Mission Children’s Hospital Teddy Bear Toss.


More from AVLtoday
Make the most of the season without pulling out your wallet.
Join the cleanups, crafting, parties, and promotions happening in honor of the world around us.
Lend an ear to four Record Store Day releases from over the years, pressed here in Asheville at Citizen Vinyl.
It’s time to dust off the checkered picnic basket + blanket and take advantage of the fresh air.
After more than 100 seasons as McCormick Field, the ballpark is now dubbed HomeTrust Park, marking a partnership between Asheville’s minor league team and its largest financial institution.
Land bridges have become an increasingly popular tool to facilitate safe passage for wildlife, and the state’s first will be completed by the end of the year in Robbinsville.
The City of Asheville and Thrive Asheville are partnering to identify what worked well as neighbors responded to Helene — share your stories at the April 18 event.
Dip your toes into “phillumeny,” aka the practice of collecting matchbooks, while you explore Asheville and support local businesses at the same time.
The group behind Gan Shan, Jettie Rae’s, and Vinnie’s is setting out to capture the magic of NY’s Mott Street with its fourth concept, The Majestic.