Ayrton Oneill
The Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, known as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, is an annual championship tournament that has been held every year since its inception in 1997. The tournament is currently set to be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, until 2031. The tournament features a single-elimination format, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship tournament. Kansas has dominated the tournament, winning 12 out of 25 titles as of 2025. The T-Mobile Center, formerly known as the Sprint Center, has been the main venue for the tournament, hosting it a total of 24 times as of 2025, more than any other city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament (also known as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament) |
| Format | Single-elimination tournament with four rounds |
| Seeding | Based on regular season records |
| Prize | Winner receives the Big 12 Conference automatic bid to the NCAA Championship tournament |
| Past Success | Kansas has won the most titles (12 out of 25), Iowa State won in 2024 |
| Location | T-Mobile Center (formerly Sprint Center), Kansas City, Missouri (until 2031) |
| Dates | 11th-15th March 2025 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tournament format
The Big 12 men's basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament consisting of four rounds. The seeding is based on regular-season records, with the top six seeds receiving byes in the first round. The winner of the tournament is awarded the Big 12 Conference automatic bid to the NCAA Championship tournament.
The tournament has been held annually since the conclusion of the first full basketball season in 1997. Until 2003, with the exception of 2005, the tournament was held at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, in early March. The tournament was held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, in 2003, 2004, and 2006, and at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 2007. In 2008, it returned to Kansas City, this time at the Sprint Center (now known as the T-Mobile Center following the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint). The tournament remained in Kansas City from 2010 through 2020, with the exception of 2009 when it was held in Oklahoma City. On October 24, 2018, it was announced that the tournament would continue to be hosted in Kansas City through 2024, and on June 12, 2020, it was further extended to 2025. The T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will host the tournament until 2031.
Kansas has been the most successful team in the tournament's history, appearing in 15 championship games and winning 12 out of 25 postseason titles. Between 2005 and 2019, Iowa State and Kansas were the only schools to win the tournament, with the exception of the Texas Longhorns' victory in 2021. These two schools have won a combined 18 out of 27 titles.
Basketball Sizes for Second Graders: What's the Right Fit?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Past winners
The Big 12 men's basketball tournament has been dominated by two schools: Iowa State and Kansas. Between 2005 and 2019, these two schools won 18 out of 27 titles.
Kansas has won the most Big 12 postseason titles, claiming victory in 12 out of 25 tournaments and appearing in 15 championship games. Iowa State is not far behind, with six tournament wins.
The Texas Longhorns broke the streak of Iowa State and Kansas wins in 2021 when they won the championship game against Oklahoma State. No. 7 Iowa State claimed the title again in 2024, defeating No. 1 Houston 69-41. Houston then took the title in 2025, beating Arizona.
Basketball Shots: How Settings Affect Your Overwatch Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Future host cities
The Big 12 men's basketball tournament has been held in Kansas City, Missouri, almost every year since its inception in 1997. The tournament was hosted by the Sprint Center (now known as the T-Mobile Center) in Kansas City annually from 2008 to 2020, except for 2009 when it was held in Oklahoma City, and 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In October 2018, it was announced that the tournament would remain in Kansas City through 2024, and in June 2020, this was extended through 2025. Given the tournament's long history with Kansas City and the electric atmosphere the city generates, the Big 12 commissioner, Brett Yormark, announced that both the men's and women's tournaments would be held in Kansas City through at least 2031.
While there is no indication that the tournament will leave Kansas City any time soon, the Big 12's westward lean in recent years has led to speculation about future host cities. More and more of the conference's football events are being held in Las Vegas, and it is possible that the basketball tournaments could follow suit in the next decade or so.
How Basketball Got Its Name: Scoring a Basket
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ticketing and venue information
The Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament is set to be held at the T-Mobile Center (formerly known as the Sprint Center) in Kansas City, Missouri, until 2031. The venue is a fully cashless establishment, and guests can purchase concessions, tickets, and merchandise using debit and credit cards, as well as contactless and mobile payment methods.
The T-Mobile Center has a list of prohibited items that guests should be aware of. These include backpacks, bags larger than 12x6x12, selfie sticks, tablet computers, outside food and beverages, pocket knives, any type of weapon, fake weapons or objects resembling a weapon, and chain wallets. Diaper bags and medical bags will be screened prior to entry. To expedite entry and minimize screening touchpoints, guests are encouraged to pack light and ensure their bags do not exceed the maximum size of 12x12x6 inches.
T-Mobile customers can enjoy expedited entry by presenting their T-Mobile Magenta Pass or showing T-Mobile, Metro, or Mint branding on their phone screen at the T-Mobile customer entrance on Grand Blvd. Additionally, T-Mobile customers entering through this entrance will have the chance to be randomly selected to receive an exclusive #GetThanked perk.
The 2025 tournament will take place from Tuesday, March 11, to Saturday, March 15, marking the 24th time Kansas City will host a portion of the Championship, which is more than any other city.
Virginia's Basketball Triumph: A Memorable Victory
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Sponsorship
The Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament has had several sponsors since its inception in 1997. Initially known as the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament, the event has been sponsored by Phillips 66 for a number of years. The tournament has also been hosted in various venues, including the T-Mobile Center (formerly known as the Sprint Center) in Kansas City, Missouri, which will host the tournament until 2031. Kansas City has hosted the tournament more than any other city, with 2025 marking the 24th time the city has hosted the championship.
The tournament has also been held in other venues, such as the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, and the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. However, despite the various venues, the sponsorship has remained consistent with Phillips 66. The tournament is a single-elimination format with four rounds, and the top six seeds receive byes in the first round. Seeding is based on regular-season records, and the winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament.
The T-Mobile Center, the current host venue, offers a unique dining experience with special menu items created specifically for the tournament and the participating schools' fans. T-Mobile customers also enjoy special perks, such as expedited entry and exclusive #GetThanked offers. The venue is also cashless, accepting only debit and credit cards, as well as contactless and mobile payment methods.
With Phillips 66 as the main sponsor, the tournament has thrived and gained popularity over the years. The sponsorship has helped promote the event and attract attention from basketball fans across the country. The consistent sponsorship has also contributed to the tournament's success and stability, allowing it to expand and include more teams. With the support of Phillips 66, the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament has become a prominent fixture in the basketball community.
MSU Men's Basketball: Who's Behind the Mic?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The tournament is currently held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and will remain there until 2031.
No, the tournament has also been held in Dallas, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The tournament is held annually and has been held every year since the first full basketball season was completed in 1997. The 2025 tournament will be held from March 11 to March 15.
