Maui Invitational (College Basketball Tournament)

Introduction to the Maui Invitational: Your Ultimate Island Hoops Getaway

The Maui Invitational is Maui’s marquee early-season college basketball tournament, drawing top NCAA Division I men’s programs to a famously intimate venue in Lahaina during Thanksgiving week. For fans, it’s the rare island sports trip where you can watch elite basketball up close, then step outside into Maui sunshine and a laid-back Hawaiʻi atmosphere.

What is the Maui Invitational?

The Maui Invitational is an annual early-season college basketball tournament typically played during Thanksgiving week in Lahaina, Hawaiʻi, at the Lahaina Civic Center on the island of Maui. It is hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, and the invited field generally includes seven or eight NCAA Division I men’s teams, with Chaminade participating every other year.

The Lahaina Civic Center itself is a big part of the tournament’s identity. It’s a small, close-to-the-court arena and community complex in Lahaina that is specifically noted as the site of the annual Maui Invitational basketball tournament.

When is the Tournament Held?

The Maui Invitational is typically held in November during Thanksgiving week, which makes it a natural anchor for an island holiday trip. That timing also means the tournament often aligns with peak travel demand, so planning early is key if you want good flights, hotels, and seats.

From a travel perspective, November in Maui is a sweet spot: the island is active, but it’s not the same as the high-summer rush, and the tournament adds a festive, high-energy layer to Lahaina’s West Maui vibe.

Why Fans Love It: The Lahaina Civic Center Experience

Most college hoops arenas are huge, and fans are far from the action. The Maui Invitational is the opposite: the Lahaina Civic Center is known for its intimate setup, which is why the event is so respected by coaches, players, and serious fans.

Because it’s hosted in Lahaina on Maui, the tournament also delivers something rare in the sports world: a legitimate island vacation feel without sacrificing the quality of competition. Many fans plan their days around game sessions, then spend the rest of their time exploring West Maui beaches, snorkeling spots, and local food in and around Lahaina.

Tournament Format: What a Visitor Sees

The tournament is built to give teams multiple games in a short window, which creates a fast, festival-like schedule. The official tournament ticket information describes “all tournament tickets” as providing access to all 12 games, with 4 games per day, which reflects a three-day, high-density format.

This format is excellent for travelers because you can watch multiple top programs in one day without bouncing between venues. It also makes Lahaina feel like a temporary college basketball hub, with fans from different schools mixing in the same restaurants, beaches, and scenic overlooks between sessions.

Tickets and Pricing: What to Expect

Ticketing is one of the biggest questions for Maui Invitational travelers because demand is high and the venue is small. The official “Tournament Ticket Types” page outlines several ticket categories, including all-tournament options, booster ticket-only options (linked to a specific school’s games), all-day tickets, and single-game tickets.

Official Single-Game Prices (Published)

The official tournament page lists single-game pricing on a game-by-game basis and provides these specific price points:

• Monday and 3rd Place: $173 per ticket.
• Semi and Championship: $250 per ticket.
• Consolation Games: $60 per ticket.

The same page states that single-game tickets may also be available at the on-site Tournament Box Office at the Lahaina Civic Center, with box office hours listed for the tournament period. It also notes there is a 6-ticket limit per transaction and that ticket sales are final with no refunds or exchanges.

Ticket Types That Shape the Experience

If your goal is maximum basketball, all-tournament tickets or all-day tickets are the most “fan-forward” choice because they are described as providing access to every game in the tournament window or every game on a given day. If you’re traveling primarily for one team, booster ticket-only options are described as guaranteeing access to your school’s three games, which can simplify both planning and budget.

Because there are multiple seating zones listed (North Grandstands, South Grandstands, West Platforms, and courtside options in booster categories), it helps to decide what matters most: overall view, proximity, or the feel of being in your team’s concentrated fan section.

Local Maui Relevance: Making Lahaina Your Tournament Base

The Maui Invitational is strongly tied to Lahaina because the Lahaina Civic Center is the signature venue. For travelers, staying in or near Lahaina is the simplest way to reduce transportation stress, especially on days with four games where you may want the option to take breaks between sessions.

Lahaina’s West Maui setting also gives the tournament a distinctive “island sports” atmosphere. You can build a balanced trip with morning ocean time, afternoon basketball, and evenings exploring Lahaina’s dining and walking areas before doing it all again the next day.

Travel Tips for First-Time Maui Invitational Visitors

Planning a Maui Invitational trip is easier when you treat it like two itineraries layered together: tournament schedule plus island vacation. A few practical tips:

• Book accommodations early because Thanksgiving week is a high-demand travel period and the tournament concentrates visitors in West Maui.
• Aim to stay close to the Lahaina Civic Center so you can walk or take short rides to games and return easily between sessions.
• Choose your ticket strategy first (all-tournament vs all-day vs single-game) because the tournament format is dense and tickets shape your daily rhythm.
• Plan meals and breaks around game blocks since the official format notes four games per day, which can turn into a long, exciting day if you attend multiple sessions.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event name: Maui Invitational (college basketball tournament)
• Event category: NCAA men’s college basketball early-season tournament
• Typically held: November during Thanksgiving week
• Typical location: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Primary venue: Lahaina Civic Center
• Host (confirmed): Chaminade University of Honolulu
• Field (typical): Seven or eight NCAA Division I men’s teams invited; Chaminade participates every other year
• Game volume (as described in official ticket info): 12 games total, 4 games per day
• Pricing (official single-game prices published): $60 (consolation games), $173 (Monday and 3rd place), $250 (semifinal and championship).

If Maui is on your travel list and college hoops is part of your identity, start planning a Thanksgiving week escape to Lahaina, lock in your Maui Invitational tickets, and experience the rare thrill of elite basketball in a true island setting at the Lahaina Civic Center.