The Basketball Tournament (TBT), the 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event, today announced that Wheeling and WesBanco Arena will serve as a host site for one of TBT’s regional events for 2023. Best Virginia, the West Virginia University alumni team, will continue to serve as the regional host. TBT’s West Virginia regional is set to take place in late July, and tickets for the event will be on sale April 1.
After two summers in Charleston, West Virginia, Wheeling, and WesBanco Arena will host the West Virginia Regional for the first time this summer.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of Wheeling, WesBanco Arena, and Best Virginia to bring TBT back to West Virginia,” said TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar. “West Virginia fans are among the best in the nation. We see it each summer with TBT and are excited to bring a regional back to their home turf again this summer.”
“We are thrilled that WesBanco Arena and the city of Wheeling has been chosen as the WV regional location for TBT this summer,” said Kelly Tucker, Executive Director for WesBanco Arena. “The level of excitement surrounding this tournament provides an amazing opportunity to continue the momentum of great events happening in downtown Wheeling. Many thanks to the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Wheeling and Mayor Glenn Elliott for their support, help and enthusiasm to bring this tournament to Wheeling.”
“Wheeling will roll out the welcome mat to all TBT teams and their thousands of fans this summer,” said Frank O’Brien, executive director of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are excited to showcase our city while partnering with an organization bringing high-quality sports entertainment to the Ohio Valley.”
Best Virginia, which first began competing in TBT in 2019, is organized by former West Virginia stars John Flowers and Kevin Jones. The team had its furthest run to date last summer, winning the West Virginia Regional for the first time. In two years of games in their home state, Best Virginia owns a 5-1 record.
“I’m excited for TBT to come to Wheeling this summer,” said Best Virginia general manager and player John Flowers. “There are a lot of West Virginia fans that deserve to see us play and to be able to interact with some of their favorite former Mountaineers, and we think the opportunity in Wheeling will allow for more fans to do just that. We’re looking forward to a great turnout this summer.”
Wheeling will be one of TBT’s eight regional locations this summer. Eight teams will compete in the West Virginia Regional over the course of five days in July in the single-elimination event, with the West Virginia Regional champion advancing to the quarterfinals.
Since TBT began in 2014, it has awarded more than $12M in prize money and has been viewed in more than 180 countries around the world. Alumni teams have won TBT’s championship the past four summers, with teams representing Ohio State, Marquette, Syracuse, and the University of Buffalo taking home the $1M prize between 2019-2022. TBT is also the home of the Elam Ending, the alternate ending to games where teams play to a target score. The Elam Ending was adopted by the NBA for its All-Star Game beginning in 2022, and is now being used in G League games as part of their overtime format.
For more information on TBT, the West Virginia Regional, and Best Virginia visit TheTournament.com.
About The Basketball Tournament
The original home of the Elam Ending, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national TV exposure, social media buzz and regional championships across the country – culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT’s ninth season, visit thetournament.com
About WesBanco Arena
Located in Wheeling, West Virginia, and situated along the Ohio River, WesBanco Arena has hosted millions of patrons and many events including national artists, concerts, conventions, sporting events and more. WesBanco Arena is also home to one of the most recognizable professional sports teams in minor league sports – The Wheeling Nailers hockey organization of the ECHL. For more information, visit wesbancoarena.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jake Pavorsky, TBT Enterprises – PR@thetournament.com