11/17/22- Rupp Arena Signs Multi-Year deal to Continue Partnership with KHSAA

November 17, 2022 2022-2023 News Releases

Lexington, KY (November 17, 2022) – The OVG360 managed Rupp Arena is proud to partner with KHSAA to extend the contract to host KHSAA Boys Sweet 16 Tournament and KHSAA Girls Sweet 16 Tournament, keeping the tournament in Central KY for at least 3 more years. Tickets, including entire tournament season tickets, will be available for purchase in December during the holiday season. With this announcement, the nationally recognized and award nominated Rupp Arena keeps its commitment to showcase the greatest athletes in the state along with the great entertainers that visit Lexington on an annual basis.

“We are delighted to extend our formal hosting agreement with Rupp Arena and the Central Bank Center through the 2025 season. I know our Board of Control, staff and our member schools are delighted with the chance to continue showcasing our girls’ basketball tournament in the venue that has hosted our boys’ event for the better part of four decades. We are delighted to continue our partnership and hold so many events such as our basketball tournaments, Annual Meeting of schools, our Student Leadership Conference and our Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies at this premier facility. Thanks to Brian Sipe and his team for continuing this longstanding support,” Julian Tackett, Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.

As has occurred previously – the tournaments will be held in March of every year with the tournaments happening Wednesday-Saturdays. For 2023, the girl’s tournament will take place March 8-11 and the boy’s tournament will take place March 15-18. The 2024 girls’ tournament is scheduled for March 13-16 and boys’ tournament scheduled for March 20-23. The 2025 girls’ tournament is scheduled for March 12-15 while the boys’ tournament is scheduled for March 26-29. All ticket information including dates and game times will be released in December when tickets go on-sale at www.rupparena.com.

“One of the greatest events we have the privilege of hosting at the legendary Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center every year is this tournament. It is our privilege to welcome our fellow Kentuckians from around the state in celebration of the athletic achievements of high school students while offering our first class service to the fans who come and watch them. I am excited that this year, with the $300 Million renovation complete, the fans will get to enjoy a state of the art facility with technological upgrades for a great customer experience that Lexington is famous for,” said Brian Sipe, OVG360 General Manager of Central Bank Center.

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About Central Bank Center 

Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. It was established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park, and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually. 

Since 1976, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center has served as the home court of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, regularly leading the national attendance average. Rupp Arena has hosted legendary artists such as Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, and many more. Since 2018, Oak View Group and Live Nation Arenas have provided booking services to Rupp Arena. During the last 18 months, Rupp Arena has broken all previous audience attendance and revenue records in its storied 43-year history.

The Lexington Opera House, built in 1886 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the premier performing arts centers in the region. Since its opening, the Opera House has played host to such famous stage performers as W.C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Julie Harris, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson, and Graham Nash. It has undergone two major renovations and remains a cultural destination in downtown Lexington. 

The Central Bank Center holds over 200 meetings, trade shows, and special events annually. It just completed a transformative $310 million expansion, featuring a dramatic, light-filled architectural design that offers over 200,000 SF of flexible meeting and event space. For more, visit www.centralbankcenter.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

OVG360, a division of the Oak View Group, which was founded by Irving Azoff and Tim Leiweke and supported by Silverlake, specializes in event programming venue assessments and security and emergency preparedness. OVG360 can also provide full management services for arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts centers. Oak View Group is the largest developer of sports and entertainment facilities in the world with $4.5 billion of deployed capital across eight projects.