Historic First-Time Event Expected to Bring Over Half a Million Dollars in Economic Impact to Odessa

ODESSA, TX –– For the first time in school history, Odessa College has been selected to host the NJCAA Division I Region 5 Basketball Tournament, set to take place March 10–14, 2026. The announcement marks a major milestone for the institution and a significant win for the Odessa community. According to a Discover Odessa Event Impact Summary, the tournament is projected to have an estimated economic impact of over half a million dollars for the region.

This prestigious single-elimination tournament will feature 16 of the top men's and women's teams from Region 5. The top four men’s teams and the top four women’s teams from the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) will face off against the top four men’s teams and the top four women’s from the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC). The teams will be battling for an automatic bid to the 2026 NJCAA D1 Men’s Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas, and the Women’s Championship in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Tournament activities begin Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with team practices and culminate in the regional final games on Saturday, March 14. The event will be attended by more than 200 NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA coaches, making it one of the top recruiting showcases in junior college basketball.

"This is a monumental opportunity for Odessa College and the City of Odessa," said OC President Gregory D. Williams. "Hosting the Region 5 Tournament allows us to not only showcase our incredible campus and athletic facilities but also provide a boost to our local economy through hotel stays, dining, retail, and more."

The tournament will be live streamed nationally and internationally, bringing worldwide visibility to the college and community. It will also coincide with the NJCAA Region 5 and Conference Spring Meetings, which bring coaches, athletic directors, and college presidents together for key planning sessions. These meetings will be hosted at Dr. Gregory D. Williams Hall on the Odessa College campus.

Odessa College was one of four WJCAC institutions to submit a bid to host the tournament, which has rotated annually among Region 5 colleges since returning to campus-based hosting in 2023–24. The 2024 tournament was held at Weatherford College, and McLennan Community College hosted the 2025 tournament.

More details, including ticketing and event schedules, will be released in the coming months.