Citywide Activities Planned for Summit League Basketball Tournament
Published on March 04, 2026
The Summit League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships return to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, with first-round action tipping off March 4 and concluding with the championship games March 8. Partner organizations, including the City of Sioux Falls, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Experience Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Sports Authority and the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, are working together to create a citywide Summit League experience. The effort aims to extend tournament branding and activities while enhancing the experience for residents, visiting fans and participating schools.
“The Summit League Tournament has been incredible for Sioux Falls, bringing energy and excitement to our city year after year,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said. “We’re thrilled to once again welcome fans and teams and showcase everything Sioux Falls has to offer.”
New this year, fans can enjoy Summit League Central at Jacobson Plaza and a new arts initiative for kids and families called “Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt.” Additionally, a special fare-free Sioux Area Metro/Via shuttle will run March 5-7, with stops at the downtown transit depot and the Steel District. The shuttle will run every 45 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will provide front-door service to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. Free parking will be offered March 5 through 8 at the Steel District Ramp at 505 N. Metli Pl., the First Avenue Ramp at 110 E. 11th St. and the Downtown Mall Ramp at 110 S. Mall Ave.
Summit League Central: Jacobson Plaza
Jacobson Plaza, the city’s newest park, will serve as Summit League Central and will feature an outdoor skate ribbon, warming areas, fire pits and curling activities in partnership with the Sioux Falls Curling Club, which will be at Jacobson Plaza on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fans can snap photos in front of Summit League banners, an 8-foot basketball and a life-size 3D tournament bracket. The Lodge Bar & Grill will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 5 and 9 and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 6 and 7. The restaurant will feature a fast‑casual menu, TVs for game viewing, all‑day happy hour specials and an exclusive tournament beer collaboration with Severance Brewing. The Bracket Buster Lager will be on draft during the Summit League Tournament and available exclusively at The Lodge throughout tournament week.
Guests who visit The Lodge wearing colors of any men’s or women’s Summit League Tournament team will be entered to win special prizes. Showing a ticket stub from a tournament game provides one additional entry. Participants may enter up to twice per day, with a maximum of 10 total entries per person. The promotion aims to boost community participation and tournament spirit.
Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt
During the Summit League Basketball Championships, the city’s Arts Commission will launch “Full Court Color: Arena to Asphalt,” a public art project at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Throughout championship weekend, artist Les Cotton will create an 8-by-8-foot mural in the Convention Center concourse and invite youth and families to contribute basketball-themed drawings in an interactive design lab. The community-created designs, along with others submitted by youth across the city, will be developed into custom vinyl basketball backboard installations for 10 parks in Sioux Falls.
Downtown Sioux Falls Activation
Local retailers and restaurants in downtown Sioux Falls will offer basketball-themed specials, exclusive tournament promotions and team-spirited décor throughout March. Mash Madness, a monthlong event, will feature locally brewed beers and signature drinks at participating breweries, bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Guests can enjoy the featured beverages and rate their favorites during the promotion.
“I am thrilled to welcome fans to downtown Sioux Falls during the Summit League Tournament,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. “Between tournament sessions is the perfect time to explore everything our vibrant downtown has to offer — from unique shops to incredible dining and entertainment.”
The Summit League Tournament
Since 2009, Sioux Falls has hosted the Summit League Basketball Championships, which draw more than 45,000 fans over the week. The men’s and women’s tournament champions earn automatic bids to their respective National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments.
“The Summit League Basketball Championships have become a marquee event for our student-athletes, fans, and the Sioux Falls community,” said Josh Fenton, Summit League commissioner. “We’re excited to build on that tradition with new experiences that showcase the energy of this tournament and the passion of our member schools.”
All-session and single-session tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com and at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center box office.