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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
| George Mason vs. Liberty | 6 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Yale vs. UNCW | 7 p.m. | ESPN app |
| Wichita State vs. Wyoming | 7 p.m. | ESPNU, ESPN app, Fubo |
| Oklahoma State vs. Davidson | 8 p.m. | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo |
| 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
| 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
| 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
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 24
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, March 25
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
Semifinals: Thursday, April 2
| 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
| 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 |
English (US)