March Madness 2026 Heads to Oklahoma City's Paycom Center

First and second round NCAA Tournament games to be held at home of reigning NBA champions

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:49am

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The 2026 NCAA Tournament will head to Oklahoma City's Paycom Center, home of the reigning NBA champion Thunder, for the first and second round games on March 19 and 21. Basketball fans can now purchase tickets to the March Madness action through StubHub.

Why it matters

Oklahoma City has become a hub for major sporting events in recent years, hosting the NBA Finals and now the NCAA Tournament. This will bring increased tourism and economic activity to the city, as well as provide an exciting atmosphere for college basketball fans.

The details

Paycom Center, the home arena of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will host the first and second round games of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on March 19 and 21. Tickets are now available for purchase through StubHub. Oklahoma City was selected as a host city due to its central location, state-of-the-art arena, and the success of the local NBA team.

  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament will take place from March 19-21 in Oklahoma City.
  • Tickets for the first and second round games at Paycom Center are now available for purchase.

The players

Paycom Center

The home arena of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the host venue for the 2026 NCAA Tournament first and second round games.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The reigning NBA champions, whose home arena Paycom Center will host the 2026 NCAA Tournament games.

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What’s next

Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets to the 2026 NCAA Tournament games in Oklahoma City as soon as possible, as demand is expected to be high.

The takeaway

Oklahoma City's selection as a host city for the 2026 NCAA Tournament further solidifies its status as a premier destination for major sporting events, providing an exciting opportunity for college basketball fans from across the country.