2026 Men’s College Basketball Championship Week: A Comprehensive Guide
The 2025-26 men’s college basketball regular season has concluded, ushering in Championship Week – a period of intense competition where 31 conferences battle for automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the schedule, key conferences, and what to expect as teams vie for a spot in March Madness.
What is Championship Week?
Championship Week encompasses the conference tournaments that determine each league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. These tournaments, running from March 2nd to March 15th, 2026, are known for their unpredictable nature and high stakes, offering a last chance for teams to secure their place in the Substantial Dance.
Key Dates and Conference Tournament Schedule
The tournament season kicks off on March 2nd with the Horizon League tournament. The first automatic bid will be awarded by the Ohio Valley Conference on March 7th. The action culminates with the Big Ten tournament on March 15th, just before the NCAA tournament bracket is revealed.
Early Tournament Action (March 2 – March 7)
- Horizon League: March 2
- Ohio Valley Conference: March 4-7 (Automatic bid awarded March 7)
- Big South Conference: March 4, 6-8
- Missouri Valley Conference: March 5-8
Mid-Tournament Battles (March 8 – March 14)
Several conferences will be in full swing during this period, with brackets unfolding and teams fighting for championship contention. Specific dates and locations vary by conference.
Concluding Championship Games (March 14 – March 15)
- Big Ten Conference: March 11-15 (Championship game March 15)
Notable Conference Tournaments
West Coast Conference (WCC)
The WCC tournament has already begun to take shape, with Gonzaga earning the No. 1 seed and Saint Mary’s securing the No. 2 seed. A potential championship matchup between these two rivals could be their last for the foreseeable future, as Gonzaga is set to join the Pac-12 this summer. Santa Clara, a team on the bubble, is the No. 3 seed.
Patriot League
Navy earned the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League tournament and a first-round bye. They will face the winner of Army and Bucknell in the quarterfinals.
Ohio Valley Conference
Tennessee State captured its first regular-season title in 32 years, earning the No. 1 seed and a triple-bye in the OVC tournament. They shared the conference title with Morehead State, the No. 2 seed.
How Automatic Bids are Determined
Each of the 31 conferences (excluding the Pac-12, which is undergoing realignment) will crown an automatic qualifier through its respective tournament. These auto-bids guarantee a spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament field.
Watching Championship Week
Coverage of Championship Week will be spread across various networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS, and FOX. Streaming options include Peacock and ESPN+, offering access to a wide range of games, particularly from smaller conferences and early tournament rounds.
Looking Ahead to Selection Sunday
The culmination of Championship Week is Selection Sunday, scheduled for March 15th at 6:00 PM ET, where the full 68-team NCAA Tournament bracket will be unveiled. The outcomes of these conference tournaments will significantly shape the bracket and determine the fate of numerous teams vying for a national championship.