Dria The Artist, Cadence Peace, MAPY, Jaydon, and Mike Phillips to perform in-arena during weekend CIAA Tournament games
CHARLOTTE, NC (February 19, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®), is proud to announce the exciting arena line-up for the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, February 24–28 at CFG Arena. Fans will be treated to high-energy performances from an exciting mix of national and emerging talent, including acclaimed R&B vocalist Marsha Ambrosius and chart-topping hip-hop artist K Camp, and rising powerhouse vocalist Gabby Samone, each set to bring unforgettable energy to center court.
Additional arena performances by Dria The Artist, Cadence Peace, MAPY, Jaydon and acclaimed saxophonist Mike Phillips will keep the energy high throughout the week and during tournament games on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28 at CFG Arena in Baltimore.
The action tips off Tuesday, February 24th at 10 a.m. ET, showcasing the CIAA’s 12-member institutions and features 22 fast-paced men’s and women’s championship matchups. Beyond the court, CIAA tournament week delivers a full-scale cultural experience, including: Fan Fest, Career Expo/ Education Day/ Community Service Initiatives, Step Shows/ A-List Performances/ CIAA Parties, The John B. McClendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame Breakfast, and town halls and symposiums focused on education, health, financial wellness and innovation.
This is more than a championship tournament – “#February Is CIAA,” – a living annual celebration of Black excellence, legacy and HBCU pride.
Each year, 100,000 alumni, students, families and fans across the country head to Charm City to close out Black History Month at one of the most anticipated sporting events in America.
Now in its fifth year in Baltimore, the CIAA tournament has generated over $100 million in economic impact since moving to Baltimore and awards millions of dollars in scholarships to student-athletes. It has helped shape generations of leaders on and off the court.
To purchase tickets, and get the latest information about the CIAA, visit CIAATournament.org.
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About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest running African American athletic conference in the U.S., and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the presidents and chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on X and Instagram.
About Visit Baltimore
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) non-profit organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group, and leisure visitors. In 2022, 26.7 million people visited Baltimore for overnight and day trips, spending a total of $3.7 billion toward Baltimore’s economy. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.
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