2025 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament In Baltimore, MD
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, today announced that the 2025 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Women’s Championship Basketball Tournament. The tournament will take place February 25 – March 1 at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD.
2025 marks a monumental milestone for the conference, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and honoring the remarkable athletes who have helped shape the game of women’s basketball. This landmark event will serve as a powerful tribute to the achievement, excellence, perseverance, and pioneering spirit of CIAA women athletes. A series of signature initiatives, under the theme #PaintingHerStory, will unfold throughout Tournament week, including the EmpowerHER Town Hall, the Women’s Empowerment Brunch presented by Nationwide, Ladies’ Night on Championship Saturday, the Mind, Body, Soul Panel, and the John B. McClendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame Breakfast, spotlighting the leaders who have paved the way in women’s sports.
#FebruaryisCIAA, and alumni, student-athletes, Baltimore locals, and fans from all over the country are invited to join in the weeklong celebration of sports and culture. The action-packed schedule features 22 thrilling basketball games, along with classic CIAA traditions like Fan Fest, the Career Expo, Education Day, Step Shows, A-List performances, CIAA Parties, and so much more!
As part of the CIAA’s multi-year partnership with ESPN, all 22 games will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ (https://plus.espn.com/). All championship games are also featured on ESPNU.
“This year marks a monumental milestone for the CIAA and women’s sports as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Women’s Basketball Tournament and honor the trailblazing athletes who have shaped its legacy,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “The Food Lion CIAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament is more than a competition, it is a testament to the hard work of our member institutions, the resilience of our student-athletes, and the vibrant culture of our HBCUs and our community. Thanks to the unwavering support of partners like Food Lion, Under Armour, and ESPN, we remain committed to creating opportunities, expanding access, and inspiring the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”
The CIAA Basketball Championship Tournament is the HBCU prelude to March Madness, intentionally held during the final week of February to coincide with Black History Month. As one of the nation’s top 10 cities with the highest percentage of Black residents and a vibrant hub for Black culture, Baltimore is the ideal backdrop for this iconic event. In 2024, the tournament had a remarkable economic impact of $32.5 million, supporting 1,315 jobs—both full-time and part-time—and generating $3.1 million in state and local taxes.
“The CIAA Tournament is more than just basketball—it’s a week-long celebration of Black excellence, HBCU pride, and community,” said Al Hutchinson, President and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the CIAA, bringing new and enhanced experiences for fans to enjoy. From the excitement of championship games to community events showcasing Baltimore’s rich Black history and vibrant culture, we invite both visiting and local fans to take part in this unforgettable week.”
Alongside the 22 thrilling games in this year’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, the CIAA brings a host of fan-favorite events for all ages. Highlights include the free Fan Fest, High School Education Day, the CIAA Career Expo, Super Saturday, the 10th Annual Samaritan’s Feet “Shoes of Hope” initiative, and The John B. McClendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame Breakfast, among many others. Additionally, the CIAA has teamed up with Visit Baltimore to offer a series of town halls and symposiums, such as the Tech Summit House, Money Moves Financial Summit, Health & Mental Wellness Forum, and more.
To get the latest information about the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. You can view the 2025 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament Schedule: HERE. You can also like them on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Twitch
