NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (HorizonLeague.org) – The Horizon League Council has selected The Arena at Innovation Mile (AIM) in Noblesville, Ind. as host of the second rounds, semifinals and championships of the 2027-2031 Horizon League Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, the League office announced in conjunction with its new partners on Thursday.

The 2027 Championships will tip off on campuses with teams advancing to AIM to compete in the final three rounds:

• Second Round (Sunday, March 7)
• Semifinals (Monday, March 8)
• Championships (Tuesday, March 9)

Why it Matters:
Opened in 2025, The Arena at Innovation Mile is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose venue that is home to the Noblesville Boom (Indiana Pacers NBA G League affiliate) and built for the highest level of basketball and events. Seating is approximately 3,400 fixed with flexible expansion, plus modern concourses and premium spaces. This will provide an outstanding student-athlete experience for participating teams, creating a meaningful memory of a pinnacle collegiate athletics moment.

Additionally, the move to Noblesville furthers the League's goal to create a long-term community event that engages, inspires, and connects the greater central Indiana community.

The Historic Noblesville Square is a walkable, quintessential Midwestern downtown packed with local restaurants, coffee spots and bars, ice cream, boutiques, and arts spaces — perfect for pre-game rallies, team meals, pep band pop-ups, and post-game celebrations.

Noblesville is home to Hamilton Town Center, an extraordinary open-air streetscape environment that showcases a diverse mix of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues and opened in 2008.

This announcement is another major move to support the League's strategic initiatives to promote men's and women's basketball improvement and excellence.

Major Voices:
Horizon League Interim Commissioner Chris Neuman
"This new partnership with the City of Noblesville, Hamilton County Sports Authority and REV Entertainment is truly a major move for our membership, and we are excited to provide major experiences for our student-athletes and fans for the next five years in The Arena at Innovation Mile. I also want to thank the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center for their incredible partnership in helping us build these championships for the last seven years in Indianapolis."

Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen
"The City of Noblesville is thrilled to be selected to host the Horizon League Basketball Championships at The Arena at Innovation Mile. This announcement builds on the momentum of our strong partnerships, with The Arena serving as home to the Indiana Pacers G League Affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, and Innovation Mile set to become the future home of the USA Gymnastics Training & Wellness Center and Headquarters. We're proud to welcome Horizon League student-athletes and their schools, families, and fans to Noblesville, where world-class sports and entertainment thrive."

Hamilton County Sports Authority Director Carl Daniels
"Hamilton County Sports Authority is proud to support the Horizon League Basketball Championships, which will create lasting memories for participants, while driving meaningful impact throughout our region. This five-year partnership will bring student-athletes, fans and families to Hamilton County each March, showcasing world-class athletic competition and highlighting one of our championship-caliber venues, The Arena at Innovation Mile."

Senior Vice President of REV Entertainment Jared Schrom
"REV Entertainment and the City of Noblesville are thrilled to bring the Horizon League Basketball Championships to The Arena at Innovation Mile. We look forward to working with the Horizon League to make this a marquee event in Noblesville for years to come."

Purdue Fort Wayne Athletic Director, Horizon League Council Chair and Horizon League Women's Basketball Administrative Liaison Kelley Hartley Hutton
"Hosting our future basketball championships at the Arena at Innovation Mile is a tremendous step forward in the League's strategy around men's and women's basketball excellence, and we are excited to provide this experience to our student-athletes and fans for the next five years."

RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Horizon League Men's Basketball Administrative Liaison Chris King
"There were a number of venues interested in hosting our future basketball championships. The Arena at Innovation Mile rose to the top of our list for the incredible experiences we could provide our student-athletes inside the brand-new facility and for our fans both in the arena and in the Noblesville community."

Oakland University Men's Basketball Head Coach and Horizon League Men's Basketball Head Coaches Peer Group Chair Greg Kampe
"The Arena at Innovation Mile is an incredible basketball facility and the right venue for one of our teams to punch its ticket to March Madness for the next five seasons."

RMU Women's Basketball Head Coach and Horizon League Women's Basketball Head Coaches Peer Group Chair Chandler McCabe
"Providing our student-athletes an opportunity to compete for the League championship in a professional basketball facility truly creates a meaningful experience for them. I look forward to competing within the League to determine who makes it to Noblesville each March."

Indiana Sports Corp President Patrick Talty
"We're excited to see the Horizon League Basketball Championships remain in Indiana, especially with the conference office headquartered here in Indianapolis. There's real value in consistently hosting a premier NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball championship in a state that truly loves college basketball. This partnership also advances our 2050 Vision to host world-class events and position Indiana as the global epicenter of women's sports. Keeping championships like this in our state strengthens our college basketball tradition, elevates the student-athlete experience, and reinforces Indiana's role as a national leader in the game."

Dig Deeper:

• The Horizon League Council is comprised of athletics directors from all 11 institutions, along with our SWA Chair, FAR Chair and a SAAC representative.
• This announcement wraps up a year-long process that included in-person presentations to a Council Advisory Group, comprised of the individuals below:
  • Chris King; RMU, Athletic Director; MBB Administrative Liaison (Chair)
  • Luke Bosso; IU INDY, Athletic Director
  • Kelley Hartley Hutton; PFW, Athletic Director; Council Chair; WBB Administrative Liaison
  • Sarah Pruess; NKU, Senior Associate AD/SWA
  • Chris Bethel; WSU, Associate AD/Facilities & Operations
• Groups, youth sports organizations and basketball fans interested in attending games or learning more about getting involved are encouraged to email Kelley Ford at kford@horizonleague.org.
• The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 member institutions headquartered in Indianapolis. Northern Illinois University will join as the League's 12 member on July 1. The League and our member schools develop nearly 4,000 student-athletes for life. Through unique opportunities in major metropolitan cities, their athletic, academic and personal aspirations can be achieved. Because what they learn today will inspire who they become tomorrow. For more information, visit HorizonLeague.com.
• Noblesville is the 9th largest city in Indiana, home to more than 75,000 residents, and the county seat of Hamilton County. The city is known for its historic downtown square filled with restaurants, businesses, and an arts district. Noblesville is ranked the 12th-safest suburb in the U.S. and is home to the outdoor amphitheater Ruoff Music Center, The Arena at Innovation Mile—home of the Indiana Pacers G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, and home to the future USA Gymnastics Training & Wellness Center and headquarters.
• Hamilton County Sports Authority (HCSA), a division of Hamilton County Tourism, Inc., is committed to developing first-class facilities, supporting high-quality training programs and cultivating local, national and international sporting events. Through these efforts, HCSA aims to inspire athletes, engage the community and enhance the economic and social well-being of Hamilton County, Indiana.
• The Arena at Innovation Mile is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue located in Noblesville, Indiana, in Hamilton County - just 30 minutes north of Indianapolis. Opened in 2025, the Arena serves as the home of the Noblesville Boom, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, and hosts a wide variety of sporting events, concerts, private events, and community programming year-round. The venue is operated by REV Entertainment, an industry leader in sports and entertainment. For more information, visit arenainnovationmile.com.