The road to March Madness is heating up as 31 NCAA Division I men’s basketball conferences begin their championship tournaments. These tournaments, spanning from early March through mid-March, will determine automatic bids to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, adding a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the bracket selection process. From the America East to the Western Athletic Conference, teams are battling for conference supremacy and a coveted spot in the national tournament.
The tournament schedules are packed with action, offering fans a comprehensive look at college basketball competition across the country. The culmination of these events will see each conference champion earning an automatic qualifier (auto-bid) into the 68-team NCAA tournament field. Understanding the timing and locations of these tournaments is key for fans planning to follow their teams’ journeys.
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates, locations, and broadcast information for each of the 31 Division I men’s basketball conference tournaments, as of March 8, 2026:
America East Conference Tournament
The America East Conference tournament began with quarterfinals on March 7th, followed by semifinals on March 10th. The championship game is scheduled for March 14th at 11:00 AM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Higher seeds will host games throughout the tournament.
American Athletic Conference Tournament
The American Athletic Conference tournament kicks off with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Second Round on March 12th. Quarterfinals are set for March 13th, with the semifinals on March 14th. The championship game will be played on March 15th at 3:15 PM ET on ESPN, and will be held in Birmingham, Alabama.
Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament
The Atlantic 10 tournament begins with the First and Second Rounds on March 11th and 12th, respectively. The Quarterfinals are scheduled for March 13th, followed by the Semifinals on March 14th. The championship game will take place on March 15th at 1:00 PM ET on CBS, hosted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ACC Tournament
The ACC tournament starts with the First Round on March 10th, followed by the Second Round on March 11th. Quarterfinals are on March 12th, Semifinals on March 13th, and the Championship game on March 14th at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. The tournament is being held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
ASUN Conference Tournament
The ASUN Conference tournament began with the First Round on March 4th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 6th and the Semifinals on March 7th. The championship game is scheduled for March 8th at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN2, taking place in Jacksonville, Florida.
Big 12 Conference Tournament
The Big 12 tournament begins with the First Round on March 10th, followed by the Second Round on March 11th. Quarterfinals are on March 12th, Semifinals on March 13th, and the Championship game on March 14th at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN, held in Kansas City, Missouri.
Big East Conference Tournament
The Big East tournament starts with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 12th and the Semifinals on March 13th. The Championship game will be played on March 14th at 6:30 PM ET on FOX, in Latest York City.
Big Sky Conference Tournament
The Big Sky Conference tournament began with the First Round on March 7th, followed by the Second Round on March 8th. The Quarterfinals are on March 9th, the Semifinals on March 10th, and the Championship game on March 11th at 11:30 PM ET on ESPN2, hosted in Boise, Idaho.
Big South Conference Tournament
The Big South tournament started with the First Round on March 4th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 6th and the Semifinals on March 7th. The championship game is scheduled for March 8th at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2, taking place in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Big Ten Conference Tournament
The Big Ten tournament begins with the First Round on March 10th, followed by the Second and Third Rounds on March 11th and 12th, respectively. The Quarterfinals are on March 13th, the Semifinals on March 14th, and the Championship game on March 15th at 3:30 PM ET on CBS, hosted in Chicago.
Big West Conference Tournament
The Big West tournament starts with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 12th and the Semifinals on March 13th. The Championship game will be played on March 14th in Henderson, Nevada.
CAA Tournament
The CAA tournament began with the First Round on March 6th, followed by the Second Round on March 7th. The Quarterfinals are on March 8th, the Semifinals on March 9th, and the Championship game on March 10th at 7:00 PM ET on CBSSN, hosted in Washington, D.C.
Conference USA Tournament
The Conference USA tournament begins with the First Round on March 10th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 11th, and 12th. The Semifinals are on March 13th, and the Championship game will be played on March 14th at 8:30 PM ET on CBSSN, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Horizon League Tournament
The Horizon League tournament started with a Play-in game on March 2nd, followed by the First Round on March 4th and the Second Round on March 8th. The Semifinals are on March 9th, and the Championship game will be played on March 10th at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. The first three rounds are hosted by higher seeds, with the final two rounds in Indianapolis.
Ivy League Tournament
The Ivy League tournament Semifinals are scheduled for March 14th, with the Championship game on March 15th at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2, hosted in Ithaca, New York.
MAAC Tournament
The MAAC tournament began with the First Round on March 5th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 6th and 7th, and the Semifinals on March 8th. The Championship game will be played on March 10th on ESPN/ESPN2, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
MAC Tournament
The MAC tournament Quarterfinals are on March 12th, the Semifinals on March 13th, and the Championship game on March 14th at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2, hosted in Cleveland, Ohio.
MEAC Tournament
The MEAC tournament Quarterfinals are on March 11th and 12th, the Semifinals on March 13th, and the Championship game on March 14th, in Norfolk, Virginia.
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament
The Missouri Valley Conference tournament began with the First Round on March 5th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 6th and the Semifinals on March 7th. The Championship game will be played on March 8th at 12:00 PM ET on CBS Sports, hosted in St. Louis.
Mountain West Conference Tournament
The Mountain West tournament begins with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 12th and the Semifinals on March 13th. The Championship game will be played on March 14th at 6:00 PM ET on CBS, in Las Vegas.
Northeast Conference Tournament
The Northeast Conference tournament Quarterfinals are on March 4th, the Semifinals on March 7th, and the Championship game on March 10th at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2/ESPN+, with higher seeds hosting.
Ohio Valley Conference Tournament
The Ohio Valley Conference tournament began with the First Round on March 4th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 5th and the Semifinals on March 6th. The Championship game will be played on March 7th at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2, hosted in Evansville, Indiana.
Patriot League Tournament
The Patriot League tournament began with the First Round on March 3rd, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 5th and the Semifinals on March 8th. The Championship game will be played on March 11th, with higher seeds hosting.
SEC Tournament
The SEC tournament begins with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Second Round on March 12th. Quarterfinals are on March 13th, Semifinals on March 14th, and the Championship game on March 15th at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN, hosted in Nashville, Tennessee.
SoCon Tournament
The SoCon tournament begins with the First Round on March 6th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 7th and the Semifinals on March 8th. The Championship game will be played on March 9th at 7:00 PM ET, in Asheville, North Carolina.
Southland Conference Tournament
The Southland Conference tournament begins with the First Round on March 8th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 9th and the Semifinals on March 10th. The Championship game will be played on March 11th at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN2, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
SWAC Tournament
The SWAC tournament begins with the First Round on March 9th, followed by the Second Round on March 10th. The Quarterfinals are on March 11th and 12th, the Semifinals on March 13th, and the Championship game on March 14th at 7:30 PM ET, in Atlanta.
Summit League Tournament
The Summit League tournament began with the Opening Round on March 4th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 5th and 6th, and the Semifinals on March 7th. The Championship game will be played on March 8th at 9:00 PM ET on CBSSN, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sun Belt Conference Tournament
The Sun Belt tournament began with the First Round on March 3rd, followed by the Second, Third, and Fourth Rounds on March 4th, 5th, and 6th, respectively. The Quarterfinals are on March 7th, the Semifinals on March 8th, and the Championship game on March 9th at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN, in Pensacola, Florida.
West Coast Conference Tournament
The West Coast Conference tournament begins with the First Round on March 5th, followed by the Second and Third Rounds on March 6th and 7th, respectively. The Quarterfinals are on March 8th, the Semifinals on March 9th, and the Championship game on March 10th at 9:00 PM ET, in Las Vegas.
WAC Tournament
The WAC tournament begins with the First Round on March 11th, followed by the Quarterfinals on March 12th and the Semifinals on March 13th. The Championship game will be played on March 14th, in Las Vegas.
As these conference tournaments unfold, the landscape of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will become clearer. The automatic bids awarded to each conference champion will significantly shape the bracket, creating compelling storylines and potential upsets. Fans can expect a thrilling few weeks of college basketball action as teams compete for a chance to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Stay tuned to Archyde.com for continued coverage of the conference tournaments and the selection process for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
