2020 Cancun Challenge Moved To Florida

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to hold the nation hostage, most expected we would start hearing about some movements in the college basketball schedule. We still have quite some time until the season starts, but it’s seeming more and more likely that the upcoming 2020-’21 season will been substantially impacted by the pandemic.

And one of those developments dropped on Thursday, as the Cancun Challenge announced it would be relocating from Mexico to Florida. It’s a logical move given the current uncertainties in international travel.

Here’s what Purdue’s athletic department had to say about the move. The Boilermakers are scheduled to participate in the event:

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - In an effort to ensure the safety of the athletes, coaches, staff members and fans, Triple Crown Sports will move the 2020 Cancun Challenge to Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Florida.

EFSC sits in the heart of Florida’s Space Coast. Located just south of Cape Canaveral, Melbourne is moments away from the Kennedy Space Center and the city’s cultural hub, providing the perfect backdrop for the 2020 edition of the popular Thanksgiving week event.

Games will be played at the Titan Field House which is home to Eastern Florida’s men’s and women’s basketball programs. The arena seats approximately 1,500 fans, maintaining the classic intimate setting of the Cancun Challenge.

Final details involving hotels, fan packages, tournament field and schedules will be released at a later date. Fans are asked to refrain from booking lodging until team hotel and other amenities are announced.

We’ll have to wait and see if this is the first of what could be many announcements regarding next season.