MBA Brings Military Basketball to U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs

Nationally Televised World Championship Games Slated for May 3, 2026 at Clune Arena

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co., October 14, 2025 – The Military Basketball Association (MBA) is bringing the game back home to Colorado. Showcasing some of the world’s best athletes, the year-round tournament league will host its next MBA World Championship Games at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Leading up to the championship games, a three-day tournament aimed at suicide prevention will take place May 1-3, 2026 at Clune Arena during Mental Health Awareness Month. The tournament’s top two women’s teams and top two men’s teams will face off in the nationally televised, livestream double-header MBA World Championship Games on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

Hundreds of veterans and soldiers, airmen and guardians from military installations across the country will travel to Colorado Springs to compete for the MBA World Champion title. The annual event builds life-saving resilience to the trauma associated with military service, fights the stigma of shame around seeking mental health support, and raises awareness on the rising rates of suicide. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the MBA unites close to 1,000 military athletes each year who compete on 50 teams worldwide.

“Colorado is the proud home of hundreds of thousands of brave members of our military, military families, and veterans. We continue to work to support our veterans and military families to ensure those who have sacrificed so much for our safety and security have the support to thrive in our beautiful state. I’m thrilled to welcome the Military Basketball Association back to Colorado to host its World Championship Games in Colorado Springs. This event will highlight the athletic talent of our military members and bring together veterans and our community over shared love of basketball,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Delivering on its mission to save lives through basketball, the MBA is extremely proud to bring the 2026 World Championship Games back to its Colorado birthplace.

“The Air Force Academy is pleased to host the Military Basketball Association Championship Games tournament,” said Air Force Academy Director of Athletics Nathan Pine. “This is an outstanding annual event and a natural fit for the Academy to open our facilities and help showcase active-duty basketball players from our Military Services. It will be a great event for our campus community and our city, and we are thrilled to partner with the MBA to make it happen.”

“As a proud military city, Colorado Springs is honored to welcome the Military Basketball Association (MBA) World Championship Games to the U.S. Air Force Academy; and to host the service members and veterans from around the world who will take the court,” said City of Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “In Olympic City USA, we live at the crossroads of service and sport. We stand with the MBA in harnessing the power of basketball to heal the invisible wounds of service. These games remind us that healing happens when we play together, stand together, and lift one another up.”

“The Centennial State and the vital military training facility at its heart is the premier location for this event as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of freedom in the United States of America,” said MBA Commissioner Mike Meyers. “We are grateful for the academy’s support in our work driving resiliency, retention and recruiting. On behalf of the Military Basketball Association and its incredible athletes, coaches and fans, we thank the Air Force Academy, the City of Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado for shining a light on this spectacular display of talent, camaraderie and trauma resilience."

The 2026 MBA World Championship Games will stream live on Pluto TV and air live on CBS Sports Network.

To learn more, see highlights from the 2025 MBA Championship Games.

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About the Military Basketball Association
The Military Basketball Association (MBA) builds resilience and prevents suicide by reestablishing the camaraderie veterans experienced while serving and reducing the loneliness and lack of community that can lead to self-harm. Orchestrating nearly a dozen tournaments each year, the year-round varsity league features 1,000 military athletes competing on 50 teams across the U.S., Europe and Asia. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit saving lives through basketball since 2017, the MBA showcases the best military basketball players and coaches worldwide. Veterans and active-duty soldiers, airmen and guardians face off on the court while raising awareness on mental health resilience, post-traumatic stress and the invisible wounds of military service. Visit mymbaglobal.com to learn more and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media Contact: 
Military Basketball Association
Melissa Garcia
communicationsdirector@mymbaglobal.com
720-618-7089