Big Ten Conference Selects Detroit To Host 2028 Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament At Little Caesars Arena

DETROIT (July 31, 2024) – The Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) is proud to announce the Big Ten Conference has selected Detroit as the host of the 2028 Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, continuing its mission to bring major sporting events to the region.

The prestigious event will be held in Detroit for the first time at Little Caesars Arena March 1-5, 2028 and attract basketball fans from across the Midwest – and the nation – following the recent expansion of the Big Ten to include west coast member institutions. 

“The Detroit Sports Commission is extremely proud to be selected by the Big Ten Conference to host the 2028 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said Dave Beachnau, Detroit Sports Commission Executive Director. “Landing this impressive event is the result of our efforts to prioritize women’s sports and to position Detroit as a premier destination for major sporting events, as well as our longstanding partnership with 313 Presents and Little Caesars Arena.”

Added Beachnau, “The 2028 Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament in Detroit is the culmination of our organization attending various Big Ten championship events over the years, building relationships with conference leadership and staff, and gaining an understanding of how their selection process works. We value the partnership we’ve established with the Big Ten and will continue to pursue and create future opportunities in Detroit with the conference in a variety of sports.”

The DSC’s long-time commitment to women’s sports was reinforced through the recent development of its Living Legacy Initiative, designed to promote youth literacy and sports, with a special emphasis on empowering girls in sports across Detroit and neighboring communities. DSC has committed to integrating the Living Legacy Initiative into all major sporting events in the region, including the 2028 Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, which will include a significant community engagement effort aimed at leaving behind a tangible, enduring impact in the Detroit region and for local women’s basketball.

“We look forward to partnering with the city of Detroit as they host the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “Detroit will be an exciting post-season opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans, both locally and from across the country.”

Centrally located within the Big Ten footprint, Detroit is a short drive from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. The city hosted the Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament in 2015 and 2017 and has welcomed numerous NCAA® and in-season collegiate events featuring Big Ten institutions. Notable events include the 2024 NCAA® Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional, where Purdue secured its spot in the Men’s Final Four®; the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships; and the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds with Michigan State and Purdue. Detroit will also host the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four, with MSU serving as the host institution. Little Caesars Arena regularly features games with Michigan State and Michigan men’s basketball and is also home to the annual “Duel in the D” hockey game between Michigan and MSU. Additionally, Ford Field hosts the “Detroit College Football Bowl Game”, formerly known as the “Quick Lane Bowl”, which has welcomed Rutgers, Maryland, and Minnesota since 2014.

“We’re thrilled with the announcement Little Caesars Arena has been chosen by the Big Ten Conference as the host site for the 2028 Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament,” said 313 Presents President Howard Handler. “As Detroit’s premier live entertainment company, in partnership with the Detroit Sports Commission, bringing this momentous event to our guests is the epitome of our mission – to provide access to amazing entertainment and alive moments.” 

Handler continued, “Since Little Caesars Arena opened in 2017, we’ve been honored to host the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds, the 2022 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and most recently, the 2024 Midwest Regional of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Building on this incredible momentum, we are excited to welcome back championship collegiate athletics competition to our world-class venue and deliver an exceptional experience for Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, and fans."