The Sun Belt Conference Fan Fest Despite will proceed rain or shine, with contingency plans to keep everyone dry and comfortable, according to Visit Pensacola’s Nicole Stacey.
What to Expect at Fan Fest
Fan Fest kicks off at 11 a.m. and features the popular Dribble Drive event for children ages 3-12. This free activity gives kids the opportunity to dribble basketballs into the Pensacola Bay Center, creating what Stacey describes as “a sight to see.”
Participants receive:
- A free basketball
- A commemorative t-shirt
- Two tickets to the Women’s Quarterfinal game
Haven’t registered yet? No problem! You can sign up online at visitpensacola.com/sunbelt or register at the event.
More Than Just Basketball
The Sun Belt Conference brings tremendous energy to our community. As Rick Outzen noted in his interview with Stacey, it’s not just about the games—it’s the complete package that makes this event unique:
- Enthusiastic pep bands
- Spirited cheerleading squads
- Dynamic dance teams
- Mascot showdowns (like yesterday’s face-off between Georgia State’s wildcat and Georgia Southern’s eagle)
“Whether your kid aspires to be an athlete or to be in the band or to be on the dance team or a cheerleader, there’s something for everyone to see,” Stacey shared. “I just love the energy that it brings to our area every year.”
Community Collaboration
The success of the Sun Belt Conference in Pensacola reflects strong community partnerships. The event brings together the county, city, Visit Pensacola, Pensacola Sports, and the Bay Center staff, creating what Stacey calls a “family all around basketball.”
- Under Michael Capps’ leadership, the Bay Center has elevated the experience with improved concessions and facilities. Tickets remain available at reasonable prices, and Stacey recommends purchasing directly at the box office to avoid additional fees.
Why It Matters: Events like the Sun Belt Conference showcase why tourism matters to Pensacola. The tournament brings positive exposure throughout the Southeast, with Pensacola being recognized as “the kickoff to March Madness.”
But perhaps more importantly, it creates memorable experiences. Stacey shared a delightful anecdote about spotting band members riding scooters around downtown, “laughing and having the time of their life.”
“This is why we do what we do,” she explained. “We want people to enjoy our community and to see it on their faces.”
Whether you’re a basketball enthusiast or simply looking for an entertaining family activity during potentially rainy weather, the Sun Belt Conference Fan Fest and tournament games offer something for everyone.
For more information, visit visitpensacola.com/sunbelt
MEN’S UPDATE
Georgia State and Old Dominion scored clutch wins in the third round of the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday evening at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The No. 8 seed in the tournament, Georgia State topped No. 9 seed Georgia Southern, 80-71, and advances to face No. 5 seed Marshall in the fourth round on Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m. CT. The teams split the regular season series, 1-1.
The No. 10 seed, Old Dominion ousted No. 7 seed Texas State, 64-61, on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Robert Davis Jr., with one second remaining. The Monarchs will meet No. 6 seed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Each team earned a road victory over the other in the two regular season matchups.
Friday, March 7
Game 7 – (5) Marshall vs. (8) Georgia State – 5 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 8 – (6) App State vs. (10) Old Dominion – 7:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Saturday, March 8
Game 9 – (4) Arkansas State vs. Winner Game 7 – 5:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 10 – (3) Troy vs. Winner Game 8 – 8 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Sunday, March 9
Game 11 – (1) South Alabama vs. Winner Game 9 – 5 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 12 – (2) James Madison vs. Winner Game 10 – 7:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Monday, March 10 (Championship)
Game 13 – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – 6 p.m. CT [ESPN/ESPN2]
WOMEN’S UPDATE
Georgia State and Marshall survive and advance on to the fourth round of the Sun Belt Women’s Basketball Championship.
Game 5: (12) Georgia State 70, (8) Georgia Southern 64 – 12-seeded Georgia Southern’s season came to an end after falling to eight-seeded Georgia State, 70-64.
Game 6: (11) Marshall 48, (7) Louisiana 46 – 11-seeded Marshall came out on top of seven-seeded Louisiana in a 48-46 battle in the third round.
Friday, March 7
Game 7 – (5) Old Dominion vs. Winner Game 5 – 11:30 a.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 8 – (6) App State vs. Winner Game 6 – 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Saturday, March 8
Game 9 – (4) Coastal Carolina vs. Winner Game 7 – 12:00 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 10 – (3) Troy vs. Winner Game 8 – 2:30 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Sunday, March 9
Game 11 – (1) James Madison vs. Winner Game 9 – 11:30 a.m. CT [ESPN+]
Game 12 – (2) Arkansas State vs. Winner Game 10 – 2 p.m. CT [ESPN+]
Monday, March 10 (Championship)
Game 13 – Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – 1 p.m. CT [ESPN/ESPN2]