2026 NIT Bracket Revealed, Top Seeds Announced

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After the 2026 March Madness bracket was announced, the field for the 32-team National Invitation Tournament (NIT) has been revealed. The top seeds in the NIT include Auburn, New Mexico, Wake Forest, and Tulsa as No. 1 seeds, while Nevada, California, Dayton, and Oklahoma State earned No. 2 seeds. The tournament will begin on Tuesday, March 17, and conclude with the Semifinals on April 2 and the Championship on April 5 in Indianapolis.

Why it matters

The NIT is a prestigious postseason college basketball tournament that features many of the top teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament field. While not as high-profile as March Madness, the NIT still provides an opportunity for teams to compete for a national championship and can serve as a springboard for future success.

The details

The 32-team NIT field is headlined by No. 1 seeds Auburn, New Mexico, Wake Forest, and Tulsa. Other top seeds include No. 2 seeds Nevada, California, Dayton, and Oklahoma State, as well as No. 3 seeds George Mason, Colorado State, Yale, and Wichita State. The tournament will begin on Tuesday, March 17, with the Semifinals taking place on April 2 and the Championship game on April 5, all in Indianapolis.

• The 2026 NIT tournament begins on Tuesday, March 17.
• The Semifinals will be played on April 2.
• The Championship game will be held on April 5 in Indianapolis.

What’s next

The first round of the 2026 NIT tournament will take place on Tuesday, March 17, with the Semifinals scheduled for April 2 and the Championship game on April 5 in Indianapolis.