June 14, 2012

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 14, 2012) -- The Southeastern Conference has finalized the sites for its on-campus and neutral site championships for the 2012-13 academic year. This is the first time in league history that 14 schools will be vying for conference championships in many sports with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M on July 1.

The SEC Football Championship will return to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the 21st consecutive year on December 1, while the SEC Baseball Tournament will make its 16th consecutive appearance in Hoover, Ala., June 21-26.

The SEC Men's Basketball Tournament will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., for the first time since 2010 and the fourth time since 2000. The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament will return to The Arena at Gwinnett Center for the third time and the first since 2010.

The SEC Soccer Tournament will return to Orange Beach, Ala., for the eighth consecutive year October 29-November 4, while the SEC Gymnastics Championship will take place at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Ark., on March 23.

The SEC handles the bid process for future neutral-site championships. The league works to solidify future championships at least five years in advance where possible. For on-campus championships, the alphabetical alignment of the Eastern and Western divisions serves as the basis for the rotation, depending on facility arrangements. Missouri and Texas A&M have been placed in the alphabetical rotation for their division. Each year alternates the site between the Western and Eastern Divisions for each sport and then moves alphabetically through each division.

Highlights of the on-campus championship hosting rotation include events taking place at the sites of new SEC members Missouri and Texas A&M. The Aggies will play host to the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships February 19-23, while the Tigers will host the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The SEC will also host a championship in the sport of equestrian for the first time in 2012-13, which will be contested at a campus site to be determined.

The following are the dates and sites of the 2012-13 SEC Championships:

Baseball: May 21-26, Hoover, Ala.
Men's Basketball: March 13-17, Nashville, Tenn.
Women's Basketball: March 6-10, Duluth, Ga.
Cross Country: October 26, Nashville, Tenn. (Host: Vanderbilt University)
Equestrian: To Be Determined
Football: December 1, Atlanta, Ga.
Men's Golf: April 19-21, Sea Island, Ga.
Women's Golf: April 19-21, Birmingham, Ala.
Gymnastics: March 23, North Little Rock, Ark.
Soccer: October 29-November 4, Orange Beach, Ala.
Softball: May 8-11, Lexington, Ky. (Host: University of Kentucky)
Swimming and Diving: February 19-23, College Station, Texas (Host: Texas A&M University)
Men's Tennis: April 17-21, Oxford, Miss. (Host: University of Mississippi)
Women's Tennis: April 17-21, Starkville, Miss. (Host: Mississippi State University)
Indoor Track and Field: February 22-24, Fayetteville, Ark. (Host: University of Arkansas)
Outdoor Track and Field: May 9-12, Columbia, Mo. (Host: University of Missouri)

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