SEC Announces Tampa as Site for the 2027 and 2028 Gymnastics Championships

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 27, 2026) – The Southeastern Conference will host the 2027 and 2028 SEC Gymnastics Championships at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla., it was announced Monday.

The 2027 event will mark the first time the SEC Gymnastics Championships will be held in the city of Tampa. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa will serve as local hosts for the event.

“We are pleased to bring the SEC Gymnastics Championships to Tampa, thanks in large part to the strong support the Tampa Bay community has historically provided for SEC events,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “That proven enthusiasm, combined with Benchmark International Arena’s championship reputation and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission’s deep experience, gives us great confidence in delivering a world-class event worthy of the elite level of competition our student-athletes bring to the floor every year.”

The Tampa Bay area has served as home to SEC events in the past, having hosted the 2009 and 2022 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, while the SEC Women’s Golf Tournament has been held in nearby Belleair since 2024. SEC Football Media Days will be held in Tampa for the first time this summer.

Benchmark International Arena is Florida’s premier entertainment venue and home of the three-time Stanley Cup champions, Tampa Bay Lightning. Boasting unique features like lightning-throwing Tesla coils, the 11,000 square-foot Michelob Ultra Sky Deck with incredible views of the city and a massive five-manual, 105-rank digital pipe organ, Benchmark International Arena consistently ranks among the very best venues in the United States.

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“We’re excited the SEC has selected Tampa and Benchmark International Arena to host the Gymnastics Championships in 2027 and 2028,” said Kevin Preast, chief venue officer of Vinik Sports Group. “Tampa has earned its reputation as a championship city, hosting premier collegiate events across gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and more. Combined with our world-class facility and the energy of Tampa Bay, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable championship experience for SEC student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

Tampa Bay most recently hosted the prestigious men’s and women’s U.S. Gymnastics Championships in 2022 at Benchmark International Arena, featuring Olympic-level athletes. The community also hosted the 2018 AAU Gymnastics National Championships at the Tampa Convention Center where the community welcomed thousands of athletes, coaches, and families from across the country. Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa are also staunch advocates of the sport, as they host large, competitive youth programs for all ages and annually host large-scale youth gymnastics events featuring competitive teams from coast to coast.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have the SEC Gymnastics Championships in Tampa Bay for the first time ever,” said Lanness Robinson, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “From impactful youth events to the AAU Championships and, most recently, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, we have carved out a proven resume of hosting premier gymnastics events. This opportunity to further expand our relationship with the SEC through one of the premier conference championships will benefit our community and the conference. We look forward to providing the athletes, teams, fans, and guests a first-class experience in 2027 and 2028.”

The SEC Gymnastics Championships began in 1981 at campus sites and then moved to neutral-site venues in 2001. Previous host sites include Birmingham, Ala. (2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2022 and 2025), Duluth, Ga. (2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2023), Huntsville, Ala. (2021), Jacksonville, Fla. (2010 and 2017), Nashville, Tenn. (2009), New Orleans, La. (2019 and 2024), North Little Rock, Ark. (2007, 2013 and 2016), St. Louis, Mo. (2018) and Tulsa, Okla. (2026).

Ticket information for the SEC Gymnastics Championships in Tampa will be available at a later date.