ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Postseason basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference is set to enter a new era, but Drake's championships expectations will remain the same.
A series of changes to the league's basketball championship structure has been approved by the MVC Board of Directors including the relocation of the MVC Women's Basketball Championship to St. Louis, and the installment of a new 10-team format for both men's and women's brackets.
Beginning in 2027, both MVC men's and women's basketball championships will be held in St. Louis during the same week, creating a unified tournament experience under the Arch Madness moniker. This updated format will create a unified tournament experience that showcases the league's commitment to basketball excellence while elevating the visibility of both events.
"Drake fans have built a reputation as some of the most passionate and visible supporters in the Missouri Valley Conference," Bulldogs' Director of Athletics
Brian Hardin said. "Bringing both championships together creates an incredible opportunity to celebrate everything that makes March special while setting the stage for unforgettable moments for our student-athletes and fans. We look forward to turning St. Louis BLUE this March through multiple gatherings at Ballpark Village and cheering on our Bulldogs at Enterprise Center."
St. Louis has been the home of the MVC men's tournament since 1991, which had led to the establishment of Arch Madness as a premier postseason event in collegiate hoops. The movement of the women's bracket will add to Arch Madness' status as a destination event for student-athletes, fans, alumni, and other partners throughout The Valley while creating new opportunities for all parties involved.
In addition to relocating the women's tournament, the MVC Board approved a revised bracket format that will feature 10 teams competing over four days in both men's and women's basketball. Under the new structure, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will advance directly to the semifinals, providing meaningful reward for regular-season achievement while preserving the excitement and intensity that have long defined MVC basketball. Last season, the Drake men reached the semifinals as the league's No. 9 seed, upsetting top-ranked Belmont in the process.
"This decision reflects the Board's commitment to strengthening the long-term future of Missouri Valley Conference basketball while building upon one of our Conference's most valuable traditions," Drake University President Marty Martin, Chair of the MVC Board of Directors, said.
The conference acknowledges a debt of gratitude to the communities and partners that supported the growth of the MVC Women's Basketball Championships throughout its history, especially the Quad Cities (Vibrant Arena), which served as the event's home from 2016-24, plus recent hosts in Evansville (Ford Center) and Coralville (Xtream Arena). Their commitment to Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball helped create the foundation for this next chapter.
"Arch Madness is one of the great brands in college basketball," MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson added. "For generations, it has represented the passion, tradition, and competitive excellence that define the Missouri Valley Conference. This is about more than a tournament format. It is about creating a larger stage for our student-athletes, delivering greater value to for our fans and partners, and continuing to invest in the future of Missouri Valley Conference basketball."
Additional details regarding championship schedules, ticket packages, hospitality opportunities, and fan experiences will be announced at a later date. The schedule for Arch Madness 2027 is included below.
Wednesday, March 3
Women's Basketball Opening Round – 4 games
Thursday, March 4
Men's Basketball Opening Round – 4 games
Friday, March 5
Women's Basketball Second Round – 2 games
Men's Basketball Second Round – 2 games
Saturday, March 6
Women's Basketball Second Round – 2 games
Men's Basketball Second Round – 2 games
Sunday, March 7
Men's Basketball Championship Game
Women's Basketball Championship Game
