Ivy Basketball Tournaments Bring 'Madness' to Ithaca

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The ivy-speckled road to the NCAA Tournament runs through Ithaca this year, as Cornell hosts the men's and women's Ivy League Basketball tournaments - the first time Cornell has served as host and the culmination of more than a year of preparation across the campus. The top four teams in the men's and women's divisions will battle March 13-15 in Newman Arena for the conference's automatic bids to the "Big Dance."

Why it matters

Hosting the Ivy League Basketball tournaments is a major event for Cornell and the Ithaca community, bringing increased attention and excitement around the university's sports programs. The tournaments also serve as a key qualifier for the prestigious NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, known as "March Madness."

The details

Cornell is hosting the Ivy League Basketball tournaments for the first time, after more than a year of preparations across the campus to host the high-profile event. The top four teams in both the men's and women's divisions will compete in Newman Arena from March 13-15 for the conference's automatic bids to the NCAA Tournaments.

• The Ivy League Basketball tournaments will take place from March 13-15, 2026.
• Cornell has been preparing to host the tournaments for more than a year.

What’s next

The winners of the men's and women's Ivy League Basketball tournaments will receive automatic bids to compete in the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments.