2026 NIT Bracket and Schedule Released

32 teams to compete in the National Invitation Tournament after missing out on the NCAA Tournament

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:05am

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The 2026 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) bracket and schedule have been announced, with 32 teams set to compete for the championship. The tournament will conclude with the semifinals on April 2 and the championship game on April 5, both taking place in Indianapolis.

Why it matters

The NIT provides an opportunity for college basketball teams that narrowly missed out on the NCAA Tournament to continue their seasons and compete for a postseason championship. It also allows fans to follow the journeys of their favorite teams as they vie for the NIT title.

The details

The 2026 NIT will feature a 32-team field, with exempt bids going to the top two eligible teams from the ACC and SEC based on the KNIT score, as well as the top team from each of the top 12 conferences as determined by the KenPom ratings. Automatic bids will be awarded to regular-season conference champions with a KNIT score of 125 or better, while the remaining teams will receive at-large bids selected by a committee.

  • The 2026 NIT will take place from March 18 to April 5, 2026.
  • The semifinals will be held on April 2, 2026.
  • The championship game will be played on April 5, 2026.

The players

KNIT

A compilation of other established rankings used to judge a team's merit for the NIT.

KenPom

A college basketball analytics website that provides team ratings used to determine the top 12 conferences for the NIT.

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What’s next

The NIT bracket will be released on March 15, 2026, with the first round games taking place from March 18-22.

The takeaway

The 2026 NIT provides a second chance for college basketball teams that narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament, offering them the opportunity to compete for a postseason championship and continue their seasons.