ACC tournament returning to Atlanta in 2012

By foxsports
Published

The Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament is headed back to Atlanta in a few years - but to a different venue.

Commissioner John Swofford said Sunday that the 2012 tournament will be played at Philips Arena. That's the 18,729-seat home of the NBA's Hawks and NHL's Thrashers.

Last year's event was held at the spacious Georgia Dome.

Speaking during the league's preseason media day, Swofford says "having our tournament in a traditional-sized arena was the best thing for us" to create a more intimate atmosphere.

The Greensboro Coliseum will host the tournament this season, in 2011 and from 2013-15.