2026 NIT Tournament: Schedule, Teams, and Key Dates

The 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bracket has been set, featuring 32 teams vying for the championship. Action begins on Tuesday, March 17, culminating in the championship game on April 5 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Key Dates and Locations

• First Round: March 17-18 (at higher-seeded team’s home arena)
• Second Round: March 21-22 (at higher-seeded team’s home arena)
• Quarterfinals: March 24-25
• Semifinals: April 2 (Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Championship: April 5 (Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana)

No. 1 Seeds

Auburn, New Mexico, Tulsa, and Wake Forest have secured the No. 1 seeds in their respective regions.

Regional Matchups

Albuquerque Region

• No. 4 seed Utah Valley vs George Washington (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
• No. 1 seed New Mexico vs Sam Houston (8 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
• No. 2 seed Cal vs UIC (10 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
• No. 3 seed Colorado State vs Saint Joseph’s (10 p.m. CT, ESPNU)

Auburn Region

• No. 3 seed George Mason vs Liberty (5 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
• No. 1 seed Auburn vs South Alabama (9 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
• No. 4 seed Seattle vs St. Thomas (9 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
• No. 2 seed Nevada vs Murray State (9 p.m. CT, ESPN+)

Tulsa Region

• No. 3 seed Wichita State vs Wyoming (6 p.m. CT, ESPNU)
• No. 2 seed Oklahoma State vs Davidson (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
• No. 1 seed Tulsa vs Stephen F. Austin (8 p.m. CT, ESPNU)
• No. 4 seed UC Irvine vs UNLV (10 p.m. CT, ESPNU)

Winston-Salem Region

• No. 3 seed Yale vs UNC Wilmington (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
• No. 1 seed Wake Forest vs Navy (6 p.m. CT, ESPNU)
• No. 4 seed Illinois State vs Kent State (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+)
• No. 2 seed Dayton at Bradley (8 p.m. CT, ESPNU)

Tournament Notes

• The NIT format will differ this year due to the launch of the College Basketball Crown, a new postseason tournament by Fox Sports.
• Each of the top 12 conferences received at least one exempt bid to the field.
• Only four Power Conference teams are competing in the NIT: Auburn, Cal, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State.
• Several programs, including Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Belmont, and San Diego State, declined invitations to the NIT.
• Dayton is making its 29th NIT appearance, the most of any team in the 2026 field.
• Bradley is making its 25th appearance, and New Mexico its 21st.
• St. Thomas is making its first Division I men’s basketball postseason appearance.