UMKC, City of Kansas City Announce Roos' Return to Municipal
5/12/2026 2:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kansas City Basketball will return to one of college basketball's most storied venues beginning in 2026-27
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Basketball will have a new home starting in 2026-27, making the leap back to downtown Kansas City to play in historic Municipal Auditorium. A partnership between UMKC and the City of Kansas City will make Municipal the home of the Roos and place Kansas City's College Team right in the heart of the city.
"This is a monumental moment for Kansas City Athletics," Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin said. "Kansas City is a great college basketball market and moving the city's college basketball team to one of its most storied athletic venues further fortifies the relationship between our university and Kansas City. As Kansas City continues to advance itself as one of the nation's premiere cities, Kansas City Basketball will be on the same trajectory of success."
Municipal Auditorium was built in 1935 and has been a keystone in college basketball history, hosting nine national championship games, the most of any arena in the nation. The auditorium will see a modernization as part of the new partnership, leaning into its iconic Art Deco design while creating a refreshed experience for KC's avid fans.
JOIN THE ROOS' RETURN TO MUNICIPAL, SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY!
"This will be a game-changer for our program," Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. "Playing in a historic downtown location, in front of a city that is rallying behind us, raises the bar for everything we do: recruiting, culture and performance. Kansas City is ready to embrace this team, and we are ready to give the city a team that matches it's winning culture."
This is not the Roos' first time in Municipal. The team tipped off the Division I era at Municipal against Rice on Nov. 30, 1987, playing the bulk of its home games there through 2010 and again from 2013-14 through 2018-19. Kansas City has played in the on-campus Swinney Center for the past six seasons, building momentum to return to the court that it has called home for much of its program's history.
The recent opening of the UMKC Streetcar extension connects the university's Volker campus to the heart of the city. Paired with the excitement surrounding a new era of Kansas City Basketball, the Roos are poised for a triumphant return to Municipal.
"Municipal Auditorium is one of the great civic treasures of Kansas City, and bringing Roos basketball back home is great for our city," Mayor Quinton Lucas said. "The Kansas City Streetcar gives students, faculty and fans a direct link between campus and the Auditorium, deepening the bond between our university and the heart of Kansas City."
"UMKC has always been Kansas City's top university, and now our basketball program will call Kansas City's most iconic arena home," Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal said. "Being part of a constellation of athletic excellence in the heart of downtown is a transformative moment for our students, our program and our city."
Beginning in 2026-27, Kansas City Men's Basketball will play the bulk of its home schedule at Municipal Auditorium. Kansas City Women's Basketball will play select games at Municipal while continuing to play games at the on-campus Swinney Center.
"This is a monumental moment for Kansas City Athletics," Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin said. "Kansas City is a great college basketball market and moving the city's college basketball team to one of its most storied athletic venues further fortifies the relationship between our university and Kansas City. As Kansas City continues to advance itself as one of the nation's premiere cities, Kansas City Basketball will be on the same trajectory of success."
Municipal Auditorium was built in 1935 and has been a keystone in college basketball history, hosting nine national championship games, the most of any arena in the nation. The auditorium will see a modernization as part of the new partnership, leaning into its iconic Art Deco design while creating a refreshed experience for KC's avid fans.
JOIN THE ROOS' RETURN TO MUNICIPAL, SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS ARE AVAILABLE TODAY!
"This will be a game-changer for our program," Head Coach Mark Turgeon said. "Playing in a historic downtown location, in front of a city that is rallying behind us, raises the bar for everything we do: recruiting, culture and performance. Kansas City is ready to embrace this team, and we are ready to give the city a team that matches it's winning culture."
This is not the Roos' first time in Municipal. The team tipped off the Division I era at Municipal against Rice on Nov. 30, 1987, playing the bulk of its home games there through 2010 and again from 2013-14 through 2018-19. Kansas City has played in the on-campus Swinney Center for the past six seasons, building momentum to return to the court that it has called home for much of its program's history.
The recent opening of the UMKC Streetcar extension connects the university's Volker campus to the heart of the city. Paired with the excitement surrounding a new era of Kansas City Basketball, the Roos are poised for a triumphant return to Municipal.
"Municipal Auditorium is one of the great civic treasures of Kansas City, and bringing Roos basketball back home is great for our city," Mayor Quinton Lucas said. "The Kansas City Streetcar gives students, faculty and fans a direct link between campus and the Auditorium, deepening the bond between our university and the heart of Kansas City."
"UMKC has always been Kansas City's top university, and now our basketball program will call Kansas City's most iconic arena home," Chancellor C. Mauli Agrawal said. "Being part of a constellation of athletic excellence in the heart of downtown is a transformative moment for our students, our program and our city."
Beginning in 2026-27, Kansas City Men's Basketball will play the bulk of its home schedule at Municipal Auditorium. Kansas City Women's Basketball will play select games at Municipal while continuing to play games at the on-campus Swinney Center.
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