The Big Ten announced Wednesday that the Big Ten Championship Game will remain in Indianapolis for at least the next three seasons. Lucas Oil Stadium, which has become a home away from home of sorts for Ohio State, has hosted the annual game between the conference’s East and West divisions since its inception in 2011.
The conference also revealed future locations for the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. The Target Center in Minneapolis will host the 2023 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in addition to the men’s and women’s tournaments in 2024. The United Center in Chicago was already set to host the men’s tournament in 2023.
“We are thrilled to bring marquee conference events such as the Big Ten Football Championship Game and the Big Ten Basketball Tournaments to world-class cities and venues within the conference footprint,” Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren said. “Indianapolis and Minneapolis each have a strong history and tradition of hosting some of the world’s premier events in cities that feature an exceptional base of Big Ten Conference alumni and fans. We look forward to creating new memories and experiences for our student-athletes, coaches, and member institutions, further expanding our fanbase, cultivating relationships with the business community, and fostering a positive and lasting impact on these cities.”
Dating back to the inception of the men’s tournament in 1998, the event has been held 12 times in Indianapolis, 10 times in Chicago and one each in New York (2018) and Washington D.C. (2017).
The women’s tournament, which dates back to 1995, has been held 25 times in Indianapolis, twice at the Sears Center in Illinois in 2013 and 2015 and once at Van Andel Arena in Michigan in 2001.
The full upcoming schedule of championships and tournaments can be found below:
Event | Host City | Venue | Date(s) |
2022 Big Ten Football Championship Game | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | Dec. 3, 2022 |
2023 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 1-5, 2023 |
2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament | Chicago | United Center | March 8-12, 2023 |
2023 Big Ten Football Championship Game | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | Dec. 2, 2023 |
2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 6-10, 2024 |
2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 13-17, 2024 |
2024 Big Ten Football Championship Game | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | Dec. 7, 2024 |