The Missouri Valley Conference announced a groundbreaking two‑year scheduling alliance that brings together the MVC, the American Conference, the Atlantic 10 and the Ivy League under a shared vision for the 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 women's basketball seasons. The collaboration is designed to elevate early‑season play, give teams valuable résumé‑building games and generate greater national interest in the sport.
Tournament Structure and Host Venues
Each opening weekend will host a tournament‑style event where the leading squads from each conference meet in a compact showcase. The 2026 edition will be staged at two venues: the Robins Center on the University of Richmond campus in Richmond, Virginia, and the Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 2026 field features a concentration of Top‑75 programs according to the NET ranking, underscoring the competitive depth of the participating schools. Every team will play two games during the weekend, providing a concentrated burst of high‑quality basketball that can serve as a springboard for postseason aspirations.
Strategic Benefits for the Conferences
Beyond the spectacle, the alliance aims to strengthen each conference's national footprint. By pooling resources and scheduling expertise, the partners hope to increase media coverage, attract more fans and create additional pathways for student‑athletes to showcase their talents on a broader stage.
The initiative also reflects a growing commitment across collegiate women's basketball to enhance early‑season competition. Conference leaders say the partnership will help teams build momentum, improve strength of schedule and ultimately raise the overall profile of the sport nationwide.