NIT bracket 2026: Full schedule, TV channels, live streams, scores for college basketball tournament
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NIT bracket 2026: Full schedule, TV channels, live streams, scores for college basketball tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The College Basketball Invitational may have been canceled, but the National Invitation Tournament is back.
This year's edition of the NIT will feature 32 teams, including top March Madness snubs like Auburn and New Mexico.
The action will start with first-round games on March 17 and 18, and the championship game will be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 5.
Here is everything you need to know about this year's NIT bracket, including key dates and TV and streaming options for each round.
NIT bracket 2026
NCAA.com
How to watch NIT 2026: TV channels, live streams
NIT games will air on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU). Viewers can also stream NIT games on the ESPN app and Fubo.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and college sports, plus "SportsCenter," "First Take" and all your favorite ESPN shows — anytime, anywhere — only in the new ESPN app.
NIT schedule, scores 2026
Round 1: Tuesday, March 17
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty 77, George Mason 71 | — | — |
| UNC Wilmington 68, Yale 67 | — | — |
| Wichita State 74, Wyoming 70 | — | — |
| Oklahoma State 84, Davidson 80 | — | — |
| Tulsa vs. Stephen F. Austin | 9 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Seattle U vs. St. Thomas (Minn.) | 10 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Auburn vs. South Alabama | 10 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
| UC Irvine vs. UNLV | 11 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
Round 1: Wednesday, March 18
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest vs. Navy | 7 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Illinois State vs. Kent State | 8 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Utah Valley vs. George Washington | 8 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Dayton vs. Bradley | 9 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
| New Mexico vs. Sam Houston | 9 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Nevada vs. Murray State | 10 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Colorado State vs. Saint Joseph's | 11 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
| California vs. UIC | 11 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
Round 2: Saturday, March 21
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Round 2: Sunday, March 22
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 24
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 25
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Semifinals: Thursday, April 2
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo |
Championship: Sunday, April 5
| Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 8 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
NIT sites 2026
(Note: First-round, second-round and quarterfinal games will be played at the home venue of the higher-seeded team.)
| Round | Date | Location | Site |
| First Round | March 17-18 | Higher seed hosts | Campus sites |
| Second Round | March 21-22 | Higher seed hosts | Campus sites |
| Quarterfinals | March 24-25 | Higher seed hosts | Campus sites |
| Semifinals | April 2 | Indianapolis | Hinkle Fieldhouse |
| Championship | April 5 | Indianapolis | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
