SEC Soccer Tournament Draws Thousands to Pensacola for Fifth Straight Year
The top 12 teams in the conference will compete at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park from Nov. 8 to Nov. 15, generating millions in local economic impact.
By Fernando Rojas ·
The 2026 SEC Soccer Tournament begins Sunday, Nov. 8, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15, marking the fifth consecutive year that Escambia County hosts the event. The tournament features the top 12 women’s soccer teams in the Southeastern Conference competing for the championship at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.
Pensacola Sports, the entity responsible for selling the location to the conference, secured the bid after a neighbor made the initial pitch. Orange Beach had hosted the tournament for years, but administrators and coaches preferred the coastal setting. When the event became available, Orange Beach approached Pensacola first.
Jason Libbert, CEO and president of Pensacola Sports, explained that the relationship across state lines facilitated the transfer. “We have a good relationship even though they’re in another state,” Libbert said. “It’s our Gulf Coast.” Following a site visit and a formal proposal, the SEC selected the venue and has continued to return since 2022.
The tournament brings substantial economic activity to the region. Since 2022, the event has attracted thousands of attendees and generated millions of dollars in local economic impact. Steven Barry, District 5 County Commissioner, noted that the influx of visitors showcases Northwest Florida as a destination for sporting events.
“This is an exciting opportunity not just for Escambia County, but for all of Northwest Florida as we draw thousands of attendees to our area and showcase our community as a destination for sporting events,” Barry said. He credited the partnership between Pensacola Sports and the SEC, as well as the staff and volunteers who operate the event.
Escambia County Parks and Recreation completed recent upgrades to align the facility with SEC standards. Michael Rhodes, the Parks and Recreation Director, stated that his team worked to ensure the field was ready for the players and fans. Libbert described the new turf as phenomenal, noting that the SEC dresses the stadium in its colors and flags to create a major event atmosphere.
The schedule begins at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday with a match between Oklahoma and Georgia. A fan fest will run that day. Four more matches are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10. No. 1 ranked Vanderbilt, which is also the top team in the country, will participate as it chases an NCAA tournament run. A youth clinic is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, with free admission for children four and under and for youth wearing jerseys.
Tickets are available online and delivered digitally. A single session costs $13 and covers multiple matches, while a full-weekend pass ranges from $46 to $48. An NCAA clear bag policy is in effect. Every match will air on ESPN and the SEC Network, placing the event in front of a national audience.
