National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Returns to McKale

The annual intercollegiate competition will take place April 1-4 in Tucson.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:40am

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The National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament (NIWBT) is set to return to the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona from April 1-4. The men's and women's championship games will be played on Thursday, April 2, with the No. 3 Arizona men's team facing the winner of the No. 6 SW Minnesota State and No. 11 Eastern Washington matchup, and the No. 3 Arizona women's team taking on the No. 2 Texas-Arlington squad.

Why it matters

The NIWBT is one of the premier collegiate wheelchair basketball events in the country, showcasing the top talent in the sport. Hosting the tournament at the iconic McKale Center provides a high-profile stage for the athletes and raises awareness for adaptive sports in the Tucson community.

The details

The four-day tournament will feature both a men's and women's division, with the championship games scheduled for Thursday, April 2. The No. 3 ranked Arizona men's team will face the winner of the No. 6 SW Minnesota State and No. 11 Eastern Washington matchup, while the No. 3 Arizona women's squad will take on the No. 2 Texas-Arlington team.

  • The National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place from April 1-4, 2026.
  • The men's and women's championship games are scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Arizona Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team

The No. 3 ranked men's wheelchair basketball team from the University of Arizona, who are making their return to the national tournament.

Arizona Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team

The No. 3 ranked women's wheelchair basketball team from the University of Arizona, who will be competing in the national tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to host the NIWBT at McKale Center and showcase the incredible talent and athleticism of these student-athletes. Wheelchair basketball is an inspiring sport, and we hope this event inspires more people in our community to get involved.”

— Greg Byrne, Director of Athletics, University of Arizona

What’s next

Tickets and parking permits for the tournament are now available for purchase on the University of Arizona athletics website.

The takeaway

The return of the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament to Tucson's McKale Center is an exciting opportunity to showcase the skill and determination of these student-athletes and raise awareness for adaptive sports in the community.