The 32-team field for the 2026 National Invitation Tournament was announced Sunday, March 15.
First round play is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17 and 18, with the second round on March 21 and 22. Quarterfinals will be held March 24 and 25, with those four winners advancing to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the semifinals Tuesday, April 2. The championship will be held Sunday, April 5, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here is everything else you need to know:
2026 NIT bracket
2026 NIT schedule
*All times ET and subject to change.
- Selections: Sunday, March 15
- Tuesday, March 17 — First Round
- No. 3 George Mason vs. Liberty, 6 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 3 Yale vs. UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 3 Wichita State vs. Wyoming, 7 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 2 Oklahoma State vs. Davidson, 8 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 1 Tulsa vs. SFA, 9 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 1 Auburn vs. South Alabama, 10 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 4 SeattleU vs. St. Thomas (MN), 10 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 4 UC Irvine vs. UNLV, 11 p.m. on ESPNU
- Wednesday, March 18 — First Round
- No. 1 Wake Forest vs. Navy, 7 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 4 Illinois State vs. Kent State, 8 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 4 Utah Valley vs. George Washington, 8 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 2 Dayton vs. Bradley, 9 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 1 New Mexico vs. Sam Houston, 9 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 2 Nevada vs. Murray State, 10 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 3 Colorado State vs. Saint Joseph’s, 11 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 2 Cal vs. UIC, 11 p.m. on ESPN2
- Saturday, March 21 — Second Round
- Sunday, March 22 — Second Round
- Tuesday, March 24 — Quarterfinals
- Wednesday, March 25 — Quarterfinals
- Thursday, April 2 — Semifinals
- Hinkle Fieldhouse | 7 & 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
- Sunday, April 5 — Championship
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN2