Sports & Community
The SEC Soccer Tournament kicks off Sunday, Nov. 8, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15, at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. It is Escambia County’s fifth consecutive year hosting the event, and the top 12 women’s soccer teams in the SEC will compete for the championship.
Jason Libbert, CEO and president of Pensacola Sports, joined me on the podcast to preview the week. Pensacola Sports is the group that sold the SEC on Escambia County, along with the County Commission. Here is what you need to know.
How Pensacola Landed the Tournament
It started with a neighbor. Orange Beach had hosted the tournament for years, and the administrators, teams, and coaches loved being on the beach. When the event came available, Orange Beach was in a position to keep it local, but they reached out to Pensacola first.
- “We have a good relationship even though they’re in another state,” Libbert said. “It’s our Gulf Coast.” After a site visit and proposal, the SEC liked what it saw and has stayed ever since.
What It Means for the Local Economy
The numbers are big. Since 2022, the tournament has drawn thousands of attendees to Escambia County and generated millions of dollars in local economic impact.
- “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,” said District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, whose district includes the park. He also credited the partnership with Pensacola Sports and the SEC, along with the staff members and volunteers who make the event work.
A Upgraded Venue
The park has been improved again. Escambia County Parks and Recreation has completed significant improvements at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park to bring the field in line with SEC standards and keep the facility a first-rate sports complex.
- “Our team has been hard at work to ensure the field is ready to welcome the players and their fans,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said.
Libbert called the turf phenomenal. The SEC dresses the stadium in its colors and flags, so it feels like a major event, because it is.
What to Expect
- Sunday, Nov. 8: Four matches, starting at 11:30 a.m. with Oklahoma vs. Georgia. A fan fest runs that day.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: Four more matches.
- Top-ranked Vanderbilt: The No. 1 team in the SEC, and in the country, will be in town as it chases an NCAA run.
- Kids clinic: Set for Saturday, Nov. 14. Youth who wear their jerseys get in free, and children four and under always get in free.
- Fan experience: Food truck alley, concessions, a big video board, ESPN on site, and Fanatics selling gear.
Tickets and Details
Buy online. Tickets are digital and live on your phone. Visit PensacolaSports.org or the SEC website for tickets, the game schedule, and the official 2026 bracket. Pensacola Sports also has parking information.
- Single session: $13. Each session includes more than one match. Sunday’s session, for example, covers two.
- Weekend pass: Roughly $46 to $48 for the full week.
- Clear bag policy: The NCAA requires it, so plan ahead.
Every match will air on ESPN and the SEC Network, which puts Pensacola in front of a national audience. Libbert noted that the schools have huge social followings, and they post “beach bound” messages as soon as they clinch a berth.
