GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH – As unpredictable 2020 rolls on, sports tourism continues to come back safely along Alabama’s beaches, including the rescheduled and restructured SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament Nov. 13-22 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. All 14 Southeastern Conference teams will be represented in this single-elimination tournament.

"We are excited to return to the city of Orange Beach again this year for the SEC Women's Soccer Tournament,” said SEC Associate Commissioner Tiffany Daniels. “The support we have received from the city and the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission coupled with the quality facilities at the Orange Beach Sportsplex have helped make this the premier college soccer tournament in the country.”

Each team is guaranteed two matches, and all matches will be aired live on the SEC Network. The championship match will take place at 1 p.m. CST/2 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 22, on the SEC Network.

Tickets are $5 per game for adults and $2 per day for children (K-12) and will be available at the gate. COVID-19 guidelines will be in place, including social distancing, to prioritize the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans. The Orange Beach Sportsplex address is 4385 William Silvers Parkway. For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND. 

BRACKET PREVIEW

Michael Hanich, Sports Analysis

There many several sporting events in the city of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores this year that were canceled due COVID-19. Fortunately, some events are adjusting to ensure their events occur. The 2020 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will take place in Orange Beach for the 16^th consecutive year at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

These teams overcame many obstacles to get tothe SEC Championship. The 11^th seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (2-4-2) versus the winless 14^th seeded LSU Tigers (0-6-2) will kick off the tournament on Friday night at 6:30 p.m.. The decline of the Tigers is surprising considering how they won the Championship Tournament in 2018. The 12^th seeded Kentucky Wildcats (1-4-3) will face the 13^th seeded Florida Gators in the first round.

The No. 1 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-1), No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers (4-3-1), No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies (7-1) and the No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-2) are skipping the first and second rounds. The sixth-seeded No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels are the only nationally-ranked SEC team to compete in the second round.

The Razorbacks are currently the favorites to win the SEC title with solid consistency on both sides of the ball. They were the favorites to win last year’s tournament as the sixth-ranked team in the nation and are looking to win their first-ever Conference Tournament Championship.

The reigning champion Gamecocks are in a comfortable position for a deep push. The third-seeded Texas A&M Aggies might be the biggest surprise team of the tournament. They have a solid 7-1 record with their only loss to the Razorbacks 2-1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The Conference Championship game is Sunday, Nov. 22. 

2020 SEC Soccer Tournament Schedule 

All matches at Orange Beach Sportsplex, 4385 William Silvers Parkway