MAC Men’s and Women’s Conference Tournament to be Held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Through 2023

CLEVELAND – The tradition of MAC Madness in downtown Cleveland during the month of March will remain on Northeast Ohio’s sports calendar for years to come. The Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse have agreed to a six-year contract extension to host the MAC Men's and Women's Basketball Conference Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse through 2023.  The current agreement runs through 2017.

The announcement was made today by MAC Commissioner, Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher, and Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO, Len Komoroski during a press conference held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. In acknowledgment of the importance the MAC extension is to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, also in attendance were Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission President and CEO, David Gilbert.

Each year the MAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament brings eight men’s and eight women’s teams to Cleveland for a four-day single elimination tournament.

“The Mid-American Conference is pleased to extend its partnership with Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and the Cleveland Cavaliers to host our Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament through 2023,” said Steinbrecher.  “This six-year contract extension provides our student-athletes and our fans the finest basketball facility in the country for our conference basketball tournament. The entire Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Cavaliers staff have been extremely supportive to and work collaboratively with the Conference staff to ensure our membership and student-athletes have a tremendous experience.  

“Throughout the long history of the Mid-American Conference basketball tournament, there have been exciting and memorable tournament games.    Over the past 15 years the Conference has built a tradition of “coming to Cleveland.” This is a destination that keeps getting better and better. We look forward to having the opportunity to host and provide many more memorable experiences at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in the years to come,” Steinbrecher added.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has served as the host venue for the MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament since 2000 and the MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament since 2001, and is the second longest running neutral site men’s tournament in the nation.  

“Over the past 15 years, the Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse organization has had a very special relationship with the MAC in helping to grow this event into a successful Cleveland tradition,” said Komoroski. “We are very proud to continue to be able to host a world-class tournament experience and environment for the fans and the participating teams. The energy and fun that MAC Madness generates inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse also impacts and extends the excitement outside of the arena in many ways for our surrounding downtown community. That is something that we can also be proud of and thankful for as we celebrate this great partnership."

Based on a study conducted by Kent State University in 2013, it is estimated that the MAC Basketball Tournament generates over $14 million in economic impact for the city of Cleveland annually.

“The MAC Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has become a valued and impactful Cleveland tradition,” said Gilbert. “The event produces tens of millions of dollars in economic activity and exposes our region’s assets and strengths to thousands of basketball fans from around the Midwest each year. This contract extension means Cleveland will continue to reap the benefits of the MAC Tournament for many years to come.”

The 2015 MAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament will come to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse March 11-14. The four-day tournament showcases the best of the best in men’s and women’s college basketball with second round matchups on Wednesday, March 11th, third round games on Thursday, March 12th and semifinals on Friday, March 13th.  Three days will feature two afternoon women's games and two evening men's contests. The men's and women's championship games will be played on Saturday, March 14th.

In addition, the MAC will serve as the host for the upcoming 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional (March 25-28) and was recently awarded the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as both events will take place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

2015 MAC TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets are on sale now for the 2015 MAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament. You can purchase your tickets at theQarena.com, charge by phone at (888) 894-9424, come to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Box Office or visit any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart locations.

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 11 members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.

Current MAC schools that hold full membership and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

QUICKEN LOANS ARENA

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse— also known as "The Q”— is home to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters, Arena Football League’s Cleveland Gladiators and host to the best entertainment in the region. Celebrating its 20 year anniversary as the primary destination for premier sports and entertainment in downtown Cleveland, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has hosted more than 4,000 events for over 40 million visitors, including Cavaliers basketball, Monsters hockey, Gladiators football, world class concerts, family shows and signature sporting events. In Pollstar magazine’s 2014 Mid-Year Report of Top 100 Arena Venues Worldwide for Entertainment Ticket Sales, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse ranks as one of the Top 20 in the country for top touring attractions. On July 8th, 2014, the City of Cleveland and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse were selected to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.