Maui Invitational Announces Southwest Airlines as Title Sponsor of Historic Basketball Tournament
Fans Can Officially Book Southwest Flights to the Tournament Starting Today
The Maui Invitational, the nation’s preeminent in-season college basketball tournament, will celebrate Maui Magic this year with a new name. Southwest Airlines, one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, will be the title sponsor of the renowned college basketball tournament – making it the “Southwest Maui Invitational.” The Southwest Maui Invitational will return to the historic Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 24-26, 2025.
“Southwest Airlines is excited to sponsor the Maui Invitational – a slam dunk for us as we rally around the schools invited to play, while strengthening our connection with the Maui community through this world-class event,” said Jen Bridie, Vice President of Marketing for Southwest Airlines. “Our flight schedule is now extended to include the Southwest Maui Invitational dates, offering a range of flight options to fans who want to attend, cheer on their team and experience Maui’s aloha spirit.”
The 2025 Southwest Maui Invitational features yet another competitive field and includes Arizona State, Boise State, North Carolina State, Seton Hall, Texas, USC, Washington State and Tournament host Chaminade. Together, the 2025 teams share 136 NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 Final Fours and two national championships.
Fans traveling to the beautiful island of Maui for the 2025 Southwest Maui Invitational can fly directly to Kahului Airport (OGG) via Oakland (OAK), Phoenix (PHX) and Las Vegas (LAS). Southwest Airlines also offers direct flights from the mainland to several major Hawaii airports, including Honolulu (HNL), Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH) from major cities such as Long Beach (LGB), Los Angeles (LAX), Sacramento (SMF) and San Jose (SJC) along with interisland travel between the Hawaiian Islands. Fans traveling can book their travel [LJ1] at www.southwest.com as the airline extended its flight schedule today to now include flights through Jan. 5, 2026.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Southwest Airlines and become the Southwest Maui Invitational,” said KemperSports LIVE Executive Vice President and Managing Director Tom Valdiserri. “Southwest Airlines and the Maui Invitational are two highly respected brands that bring the beauty of Hawaii to excited travelers and basketball fans, alike.”
Inspired by the little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu and their historic upset of No. 1-ranked Virginia in 1982, the 2025 Southwest Maui Invitational enters its 42nd year. Long revered as the country’s premier early-season college basketball tournament, it has produced some of college hoops’ most memorable moments featuring the sport’s best players, programs and coaches and has become one of the nation’s most notable traditions on the national sports calendar.
For details on tickets and information regarding this year’s Tournament, visit mauiinivitational.com or follow along on the Maui Invitational social channels (X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube).
For more information on Southwest, visit www.southwest.com or follow Southwest Airlines’ social channels @SouthwestAir (Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).
About the Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1 ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984, Chaminade University hosted the first Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for more than 40 years running. Each year, the Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches, and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere at the Lahaina Civic Center near the beautiful beaches of Maui.
About KemperSports LIVE
KemperSports LIVE, the sports marketing and events division of Chicago-based KemperSports, produces and manages major national sporting events, including the Maui Invitational, Battle 4 Atlantis, McDonald’s All-American Games and Sprite® Jam Fest. KemperSports LIVE has proudly operated the Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit www.kempersportslive.com.
Media Contact:
B.R. Koehnemann, KemperSports LIVE
847.421.4537 | brkoehnemann@kempersports.com