A Venue With History
The Pac‑12 men’s basketball tournament will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for the next two seasons, bringing the conference’s showcase event back to a site that has already witnessed its drama.
The arena, known locally as the Grand Garden Arena, previously hosted the tournament from 2013 to 2016 and will again welcome the conference’s top teams beginning this year, with the women’s tournament also scheduled to take place there in 2024.
Seeds, Byes and the Road to the Title
The format mirrors the West Coast Conference model, granting the top two seeds a double bye directly into the semifinals. Gonzaga, which has captured a top‑two seed every year since the double‑bye system was introduced, enters the field as a perennial favorite.
Washington State will join the Bulldogs, while other contenders vie for the coveted double‑bye advantage. The tournament’s structure rewards regular‑season excellence and adds a layer of strategy to each matchup.
Gonzaga’s recent victory over USC at the Grand Garden Arena in the 2023‑24 season underscores the team’s comfort with the venue. Coach Mark Few, who has guided the Bulldogs to the WCC championship game every year since 1998, praised the arena’s atmosphere and the logistical benefits it offers.
A New Chapter for the Conference
Beyond the court, the partnership with MGM Grand and broadcast partners such as CBS Sports and The Oregonian signals a renewed focus on visibility and revenue generation for the Pac‑12. The conference hopes the familiar setting will attract fans, sponsors and media attention alike.
With the tournament set to begin in early March, analysts expect a competitive field, but Gonzaga’s track record suggests they remain the team to beat. The stage is set, the seeds are drawn, and the arena awaits.