Charlotte Suffers Major Blow in Bid for HBCU Basketball’s Crown Jewel Event

Charlotte’s effort to reclaim the CIAA Basketball Tournament has officially fallen short. 

The Queen's City lost out to Baltimore and expected to retain hosting duties through at least 2029, according to the Charlotte Business Journal. Despite its rich HBCU presence and historical ties to the CIAA, Charlotte’s proposal failed to meet several of the conference’s key requirements, leading to Baltimore’s selection.

Charlotte was the host of the CIAA Tournament for 15 years before it was moved to Baltimore in 2022. This latest bidding process was for a three-year contract starting in 2027. Both Baltimore and Charlotte submitted proposals, but there were "several shortcomings" with bringing it back to North Carolina, according to sources.  

Bojangles Coliseum was projected as a host venue, but there were problems with the quality and it being outdated. Another key factor cited was accommodations for the event. With Baltimore meeting the CIAA’s demands and offering a more complete and competitive package, the tournament will likely remain there through the end of the decade. 

For now, Baltimore will continue to host the crown jewel of HBCU basketball events.