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The American Athletic Conference basketball Championships are coming to Birmingham. Legacy Arena will be the site of the 2026 men's and women's basketball championships, the conference announced on Friday. Putting the conference championships in UAB's backyard."We are thrilled to bring our basketball championships to Birmingham and Tampa. Our top priority when we began this bid process was to deliver the best possible experience for our student-athletics. The ability of Birmingham and Tampa to accommodate both championships and the year-round support that we will receive from their respective local communities will help to make these events and unforgettable experience for our players and fans," said Tim Pernetti, AAC commissioner in a statement.Since 2021, the championships have been held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. "We're incredibly excited to welcome the American Athletic Conference to Legacy Arena. With the recent NCAA Women's Regionals, the 2023 Men's First and Second rounds and another set of Men's rounds scheduled for 2028, Birmingham has firmly established itself as a premier destination for championship basketball. We're proud to showcase our vibrant city and world-class venue and we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience for student-athletes, fans and the entire American Athletic Conference community," said Tad Snider, the executive director and CEO of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Following 2026, the league also announced that Tampa, Florida, will host the 2027 and 2028 championships. This will be the first time Birmingham and Tampa have hosted the American championships.