College Basketball Crown 2026: A Guide to the Tournament
The College Basketball Crown returns for its second year, offering a compelling alternative to the NCAA Tournament and NIT. This year’s tournament, featuring eight teams, will take place in Las Vegas from April 1-5, with a significant $500,000 NIL prize pool up for grabs.
What is the College Basketball Crown?
The College Basketball Crown is a single-elimination men’s college basketball postseason tournament designed for teams that did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. It debuted in 2025 with sixteen teams and has been streamlined to eight for the 2026 edition. The tournament is produced by Fox Sports and Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Tournament Schedule and Locations
All games will be played in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and T-Mobile Arena.
Quarterfinals (April 1-2, MGM Grand Garden Arena)
- April 1: Oklahoma vs. Colorado (8 p.m. ET, FS1)
- April 1: Baylor vs. Minnesota (10:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
- April 2: Stanford vs. West Virginia (8 p.m. ET, FS1)
- April 2: Rutgers vs. Creighton (10:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
Semifinals (April 4, T-Mobile Arena)
- Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (1:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner (4 p.m. ET, Fox)
Championship (April 5, T-Mobile Arena)
- TBD vs. TBD (5:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
How to Watch
The College Basketball Crown games will be broadcast on Fox and FS1. Streaming options are available through Fubo (free trial).
Selection Process
The College Basketball Crown utilizes a unique selection process. After Selection Sunday determines the NCAA Tournament field, the Crown extends automatic bids to the top available teams, as determined by NET Rating, from the Big East, Big Ten, and Big 12 conferences. Remaining spots are filled with at-large bids.
NIL Prize Pool
A key feature of the College Basketball Crown is its commitment to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for players. The 2026 tournament boasts a $500,000 NIL prize pool, distributed as follows: $300,000 to the championship team, $100,000 to the runner-up, and $50,000 to each of the semifinalists.