Returning for its sixth consecutive year, Wichita holds TBT record as longest-running host
Hosted by Wichita State University (WSU), supported by Visit Wichita and headlined by WSU’s alumni squad, the Aftershocks, The Basketball Tournament (TBT) will return to Wichita this July. Wichita began hosting the event in 2019 and will once again serve as a regional site for its 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event.
The Wichita Regional will take place July 18-23 at Charles Koch Arena on WSU's campus. It will be the sixth year Wichita has hosted a TBT Regional, continuing its reign as the longest running location in TBT's 11-year history.
"We are thrilled to bring this electrifying basketball tournament back to Wichita for a sixth time," said Josh Howell, vice president of sports development for Visit Wichita. "This year’s roster is sure to excite Wichitans and basketball fans in the region and continue to create an electric basketball atmosphere inside Charles Koch Arena."
Wichita has consistently been the best attended regional in TBT history. Wichita State owns three of TBT’s top five attendances, and six of TBT’s top 10.
“Our event owes so much to Wichita State University and its fans,” said TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar. “The Roundhouse has been home to some of our best and most electrifying Elam Endings ever. We look forward to working with the athletic department and Visit Wichita again to break more records this summer.”
AfterShocks, the Wichita State alumni team, will return as the featured team in the eight-team Wichita Regional. Wichita native Conner Frankamp will join the team alongside Rashard Kelly as the first commitments to the AfterShocks roster.
Zach Bush, J.R. Simon, and Garrett Stutz will return as the co-general managers for AfterShocks in 2025, while Bush will serve as the team’s head coach for the fifth straight summer. Since taking over as head coach in 2021, AfterShocks have amassed a record of 11-4, advancing to two quarterfinals and one semifinal.
“We are excited to have TBT back in Wichita for a sixth time,” said Wichita State Senior Associate AD Brad Pittman. “Our fans now have the opportunity to help the AfterShocks maintain home court advantage through the championship game. We are confident Shocker fans will once again show why they are the best fanbase in the country."
The winner of the Wichita Regional will advance to TBT’s quarterfinals on July 29. The semifinals will be held on July 31, and TBT’s $1 million championship game will be played on Sunday, Aug. 3. For the first time, TBT will give each host team the opportunity to have the home court advantage for the quarterfinals, semifinals and the $1 million championship game. Should two regional hosts face off, the tie breaker will be determined by which host sells 4,000 tickets the fastest.
Tickets will go on sale May 6. Fans can sign up for ticket and team notifications at tbthoops.com/tickets/notifications.
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About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the Greater Wichita area and advocates for the city as a destination, increasing travel and tourism as a key economic driver for the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2024 travel and tourism contributed more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area. www.VisitWichita.com
About The Basketball Tournament
The home of the Elam Ending®, The Basketball Tournament has grown from a unique idea among friends to one of the most exciting and engaging events on the summer sports calendar, with national exposure, social media buzz and regional championships across the country - culminating in a winner-take-all $1 million game. Every year it attracts some of the best players in the world. For more information on TBT’s eleventh season, visit www.thetournament.com.
