The Northeast 10 Conference has announced a title partnership with Visit Central Florida for its men's and women's basketball championships. The finals will air on linear television for the first time, reaching over 15 million homes in the Northeast. The events are scheduled for March 7 and 8, 2026.
The Northeast 10 (NE10) Conference revealed a significant development on January 29, 2026, by securing Visit Central Florida as the title sponsor for its upcoming men's and women's basketball championships. This partnership marks the first title sponsorship in the history of the NE10 basketball championships, enhancing the event's profile and providing new broadcasting opportunities.
For the first time, the championship finals will be broadcast on linear television networks, including SportsNet New York (SNY), NESN, and NBC Sports Philadelphia+. These outlets, known for covering major league teams like the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers, will air the games to more than 15 million homes across the Northeast. All rounds of the tournament, officially named the "NE10 Men's & Women's Basketball Championships, presented by Visit Central Florida," will continue to stream worldwide on FloCollege, the conference's dedicated platform.
The men's final is set for 1 p.m. on March 7, followed by the women's final at the same time on March 8. Both games will be hosted by the highest remaining seed in their respective matchups, following the tournament format that includes seven teams per gender. The No. 1 seed in each bracket earns a direct bye to the semifinals.
"We are extremely pleased to welcome Visit Central Florida as the first title sponsor in NE10 basketball championship history," said NE10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert. "Their support enhances the visibility of our championships and provides an outstanding platform to highlight the elite level of competition in our league, while also strengthening our ability to support our member institutions and student-athletes."
Visit Central Florida serves as the destination marketing organization for Polk County, Florida—the state's fourth-largest county—located along Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando. The region features family-oriented attractions such as LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, Peppa Pig Theme Park, SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium, Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, and Lakeland's Bonnet Springs Park, recently named the No. 1 City Park in America by USA Today's 2025 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Accessibility is bolstered by Avelo Airlines offering non-stop flights to Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) from 10 markets, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York.
The NE10 comprises 10 diverse institutions supporting student-athletes in 24 NCAA Division II sports, making it the largest DII conference by sport sponsorship. This partnership with FloSports also aids in funding athletic departments and promoting the league nationally.
