The locations for the 2026 NCAA Tournament have been unveiled, with the event set to take place in 14 cities across the United States, providing fans nationwide access to the excitement of March Madness.
The tournament will commence with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, scheduled for March 17 and 18. This initial round sets the stage for the subsequent games in the Round of 64.
Beginning on March 19, eight cities will host the first and second rounds, spanning from Buffalo, New York, to Portland, Oregon. Each venue will be busy throughout the weekend as teams battle for advancement.
Round of 64 and 32 Locations
The Round of 64 will feature games in the following cities:
- Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center on March 19 and 21
- Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19 and 21
- Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center on March 19 and 21
- Portland, OR – Moda Center on March 19 and 21
- Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena on March 20 and 22
- Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 20 and 22
- San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena on March 20 and 22
- St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center on March 20 and 22
Following the first weekend, the tournament will progress to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds, held in four cities.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight Venues
The cities hosting the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games include:
- Houston, TX – Toyota Center on March 26 and 28
- San Jose, CA – SAP Center on March 26 and 28
- Chicago, IL – United Center on March 27 and 29
- Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena on March 27 and 29
The tournament will culminate in the Final Four, which returns to Indianapolis, IN, at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 and 6, marking the venue”s first time hosting the Final Four since 2021.
Indianapolis has a rich history with the Final Four, having hosted it eight times from 1980 to 2021. Notably, in the 2021 championship, Baylor triumphed over Gonzaga with a score of 86-70. With this exciting lineup of locations, anticipation builds for an unforgettable 2026 NCAA Tournament.
