2026 NIT Selection Show Details Announced

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The 2026 NIT bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 15, following the NCAA Tournament selection show. The NIT field will be released via the tournament's social media accounts at 8:30 PM Central time, rather than through a formal television selection show. The 32-team NIT field will feature automatic bids for the top teams from the top 12 conferences, as well as the top two teams from the ACC and SEC that don't make the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters

The NIT is a prestigious postseason tournament that features many of the top college basketball teams that narrowly missed out on the NCAA Tournament. While not as high-profile as March Madness, the NIT provides an opportunity for additional games and exposure for programs that had strong regular seasons.

The details

Unlike previous years, the 2026 NIT will not have a formal selection show on television. Instead, the 32-team field will be announced via the tournament's social media accounts at 8:30 PM Central on Sunday, March 15, following the NCAA Tournament selection show. The NIT field composition remains the same as 2025, with automatic bids going to the top team from the top 12 conferences, as well as the top two teams from the ACC and SEC that don't make the NCAA Tournament. First-round NIT games will begin on Tuesday, March 17, with the final four and championship game taking place in Indianapolis during the first week of April.

• The 2026 NIT bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 PM Central.
• First-round NIT games will begin on Tuesday, March 17.
• The NIT final four and championship game will take place in Indianapolis during the first week of April.