HICKORY, N.C. (July 8, 2026) – The 2026 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Women’s Basketball Championship brought top collegiate talent from across the country to Hickory, North Carolina, March 16–21, 2026, delivering a week of high-level competition, community engagement, and significant economic impact for the region.
Hosted in partnership with the NJCAA, Visit Hickory, the Hickory Metro Convention Center, Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC), and the Hickory Metro Sports Commission, the national championship featured 20 qualifying teams competing for the Division II title. Teams traveled to Hickory from Arizona, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, and more.
Championship week officially began with team arrivals and an opening banquet held Sunday, March 15, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center. The evening welcomed student-athletes, coaches, and officials with a shared meal and featured guest speaker and CVCC Athletic Director Tisha England, who inspired the student-athletes and those in attendance with a message centered on leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
Competition tipped off on Monday, March 16, at CVCC’s Tarlton Complex and continued through Saturday, March 21, as teams competed in a double-elimination bracket-style tournament that brought energy and excitement to the Hickory community throughout the week.
In total, the event welcomed hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, and fans from across the United States. Based on attendance estimates, hotel usage, and regional visitor spending averages provided through the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, the tournament generated an estimated direct economic impact of nearly $1 million for the Hickory Metro area through lodging, dining, retail, transportation, and other visitor-related spending.
“The Hickory Metro Sports Commission is proud to have played a role in bringing this championship to our community,” said Mark Seaman, Chair of the Hickory Metro Sports Commission and Director of the City of Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. “The success of this event is a direct result of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to providing an outstanding experience for the student-athletes and visitors who traveled here.”
“We were honored to host the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship and welcome these teams to our campus and community,” said Nick Schroeder, Executive Director of Student Life & Athletics at Catawba Valley Community College. “This event showcased not only high-level competition, but also the strength of collaboration across our local partners.”
“This championship was an incredible opportunity to showcase Hickory on a national stage,” said Sarah Jones, VP of Sales, Marketing & Tourism Development at Visit Hickory. “From the level of competition to the collaboration among our partners, this event truly highlighted what our community can deliver. We are proud to have welcomed these teams and look forward to building on this success in the years ahead.”
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the governing body for junior college athletics nationwide, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level while pursuing their academic goals.
Building on the success of the 2026 championship, Hickory will continue its partnership with the NJCAA by hosting the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship March 10–13, 2027, followed by the return of the Division II Women’s Basketball Championship March 20–25, 2028. Local partners are excited to build on this momentum and look forward to hosting the NJCAA championships in Hickory for years to come.
With strong community support and successful execution, Hickory continues to position itself as a premier destination for collegiate championships, sporting events, meetings, and more.
Visit Hickory Contact:
Sarah Jones
VP of Sales, Marketing, & Tourism Development
Visit Hickory
Sarah@visithickorync.com
(828) 322-1335
CVCC Contact:
Nick Schroeder
Executive Director of Student Life & Athletics
Catawba Valley Community College
nschroeder@cvcc.edu
(828) 327-7000 (ext 4041)
Hickory Metro Sports Commission Contact:
Mark Seaman
Chair
Hickory Metro Sports Commission
mseaman@hickorync.gov
(828) 322-7046
