Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball Extends Stay in Nashville

Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball and Nashville have announced a multi-year deal for AU Pro Basketball to return to Music City in 2026 and beyond.

The competition, which includes Olympians, WNBA champions and emerging players, wraps its fourth season and first in Nashville this weekend at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Attendance for the four-week event has been the best in AU basketball’s four-year history, projected to increase 77 percent above last year.

“We are proud to welcome Athletes Unlimited back to Music City in 2026 after such an incredible, record-breaking success this year,” said Deana Ivey, president and chief executive officer, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Setting a new attendance record underscores the unparalleled enthusiasm of our fans and the unforgettable experience Nashville offers. Our city thrives on the energy of live sports, and we look forward to making this professional women’s event an even bigger draw for athletes, fans and visitors next year.”

The 2026 AU Pro Basketball season will take place from February 4–28. It was the first winter pro women’s basketball league to launch in the U.S. when it began in 2022 and is the only five-on-five full-court league outside of the WNBA.

“Athletes Unlimited was looking for a global home and Nashville fits that description perfectly,” said Jon Patricof, chief executive officer and co-founder of Athletes Unlimited. “We had high hopes for this season in Nashville, given the city’s level of interest in bringing AU Pro Basketball here and the rich basketball history throughout the state of Tennessee, but the level of reception and embrace from the community and fans here has exceeded even our highest expectations.”

The Athletes Unlimited Advisory Board includes WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes, as well as the NBA’s Kevin Durant and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s Abby Wambach.

“We appreciate the confidence in Athletes Unlimited in Nashville to be awarded a second year of professional women’s basketball,” said Scott Ramsey, president and chief executive officer of the Nashville Sports Council. “We look forward to working with AU to continue to grow the successful foundation that was established this year.”