From the red-clad seats of Gas South Arena, the NC State Wolfpack’s 2025-26 ACC Tournament run ended abruptly with an 81-63 quarterfinal loss to Notre Dame on March 6, leaving fans and players alike pondering what might have been in a season full of promise but marred by inconsistency. As a proud NC State supporter, this defeat stings not just because of the on-court shortcomings, but also due to the backdrop of a tournament that felt displaced from its rightful home.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the ACC’s decision to relocate the women’s tournament from its longstanding Greensboro roots to Duluth, Georgia, for 2026. This move, announced after an extensive bid process driven by coaches and administrators seeking to “expand the footprint” and grow the game, already looks like a misstep. The league touted it as a way to spark new interest, but early attendance figures tell a different story. Sessions in Duluth drew crowds as low as 5,192 (place was empty, I don’t believe it) for opening-round games and around 6,203 (mostly students from local schools) for second-round matchups, a far cry from the vibrant, packed houses in Greensboro. Last year’s tournament in Greensboro surpassed 70,000 total fans for the first time since 2009, with a championship game attendance record of 11,823. Of course, the ACC probably won’t admit any regrets—Commissioner Jim Phillips has framed it as a “conscious decision” to evolve. A major driver behind the push to leave Greensboro? Complaints from a majority of ACC coaches about the perceived home court advantage it provided to the North Carolina schools—namely Duke, UNC, and us at NC State. Proximity to these campuses turned the Greensboro Coliseum into a de facto home arena, with roaring crowds and familiar surroundings tilting the scales in high-stakes games. Even UNC’s Courtney Banghart acknowledged this perception in a Monday Zoom, noting, “I know it looks like it’s a home court advantage for us, N.C. State and Duke. Well, those have been the top three teams.” But if the gripe was truly about fairness and not just sour grapes over the dominance of NC programs, why not address it head-on instead of uprooting a tradition that drew massive crowds?
Don’t get me wrong—Duluth is a beautiful and vibrant city, absolutely worth visiting for its array of attractions. From the historical Southeastern Railway Museum and scenic McDaniel Farm Park to tubing adventures on the Chattahoochee River, annual festivals like the Duluth Fall Festival, and cultural events such as JapanFest or Howl on the Green, it’s a gem for families, history buffs, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It’s a culturally diverse community with something for everyone, making it a fantastic spot for a weekend getaway or leisurely exploration. Just not for hosting a high-stakes ACC tournament, where massive fan turnouts, electric atmospheres, and easy accessibility for the league’s core fanbases are essential to the event’s success.
Traditionally, NC State boasts the largest and most passionate fanbase at the Greensboro Coliseum, where proximity to Raleigh turns the event into a homecoming of sorts. In Duluth, we still appeared to have the biggest contingency among the teams, but it felt like only about a third of our usual tournament turnout. The distance—over 300 miles from campus—dampened the energy, and the smaller 13,000-seat arena lacked the electric atmosphere we’re accustomed to. If other ACC coaches pushed for a change from Greensboro, citing desires for “other options” or easier travel in bigger cities—or more pointedly, to level the playing field away from the Carolina-centric bias—they owe it to the league to show up and support the tournament wherever it’s held. I’m looking at you, Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Florida State—teams whose programs have historically benefited from the ACC’s Carolina-centric setup but whose coaches have been vocal about wanting variety. If complaints about Greensboro’s airport, dining, or entertainment options were the catalyst—or if it was really about escaping the home court edge for NC schools—then step up and fill those seats in Duluth to prove the move was worth it. Georgia Tech’s coach seemed thrilled about the shift, likely anticipating better local support, but where were the throngs of Yellow Jacket fans?
The tournament heads to Charlotte next year. The ACC moved it’s headquarters from Greensboro to Charlotte in 2023 supposedly to position the league for long-term success, citing better access to a major airport hub, a growing and diverse city, and stronger corporate partnerships. After 70 years, the move was designed to modernize, boost the brand, and better support member schools. Yes, whatever ACC. I hear you are going to disband in 2030. Sometimes, if its not broken, don’t try and fix it, especially on your way out the door.
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