Summit League Tournament Brings Excitement And Big Bucks To Sioux Falls

Well, you know spring is down the hall and right around the corner once the Summit League Basketball Tournament arrives in Sioux Falls. It's the unofficial sign that winter is finally packing up its snow boots and heading for the door.

Now through Sunday, March 8, nine men’s and women’s teams will battle it out on the hardwood at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. 2026 marks the 18th straight year Sioux Falls has hosted the Summit League Tournament, basically making us the longtime point guard of this annual tournament.

And make no mistake, this isn’t just basketball. The Summit League games are a full-court press on the Sioux Falls economy.

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An estimated 45,000 to 65,000 fans are expected to funnel through the Denny over the next several days. According to The Sports Authority, that kind of turnout translates to a whopping $10 million economic impact for the Sioux Empire. About half of that, roughly $5 million, comes straight from fans opening their wallets for hotel rooms, burgers, adult beverages, hoodies, gas, and maybe one more appetizer than they planned on ordering.

That kind of ching is far better than a buzzer-beater for three in the waning seconds of the game for the Sioux Empire!

Since moving to the Denny in 2015, the tournament has generated an estimated $90 million for Sioux Falls.

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Of course, with great basketball comes great responsibility, mainly finding available parking spots and surviving the wait at your favorite restaurant. So if you’re visiting, welcome to Sioux Falls. We’re glad you’re here. Just be patient, tip your servers well, and if you see a sea of Iowa license plates on busy Sioux Falls streets, give those cars a wide berth. Trust me!