Planning Your 2026 March Madness journey: A Conference tournament Guide
March Madness is more than just the NCAA tournament – it’s a thrilling ride that begins with the conference championships. Knowing the schedules and locations for these crucial tournaments allows you to follow your favorite teams and potentially witness automatic bids earned. This guide provides a extensive overview of the 2026 conference tournament schedules, helping you plan your basketball viewing experience.
Key Dates to remember
First, mark your calendar with these essential dates for the broader tournament season:
* Selection Sunday: March 15, 2026.
* Final Four: April 4 & 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Now, let’s dive into the conference-specific details.
Conference tournament Schedules – 2026
Here’s a breakdown of the 2026 conference tournament schedules, organized alphabetically. Keep in mind that some dates are approximate, based on historical patterns, and subject to change.
America East Conference
* The AA Tournament will be held from March 6-10, 2026.
* You can catch the action at CareFirst Arena (Entertainment & Sports Arena) in Washington,D.C.
Horizon League
* The Horizon League Tournament is scheduled for March 3-10, 2026 (approximate).
* Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana, will host the games.
* “ivy Madness” – the Ivy Tournament – will take place from March 13-15,2026.
* Newman Arena at Bartels Hall in Ithaca, New York, is the tournament venue.
MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)
* The MAAC Tournament runs from March 5-10, 2026.
* Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will be buzzing with excitement.
MAC (mid-American Conference)
* The MAC Tournament is set for March 11-14, 2026.
* Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, will host the competition.
MEAC (Mid-Eastern athletic Conference)
* The MEAC Tournament will be held from March 11-14,2026.
* Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, is the location for this tournament.
Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)
* “Arch Madness” – the MVC Tournament – is scheduled for March 5-8, 2026.
* Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, will be the battleground.
Mountain West Conference
* The Mountain West Tournament will take place from March 11-14, 2026.
* Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the host arena.
Northeast Conference (NEC)
* The NEC Tournament will be played on March 4, 7, and 10, 2026.
* Games will be held at campus sites of the higher seeds.
Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)
* The OVC Tournament is scheduled for March 4-7, 2026.
* Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, will host the tournament.
Pac-12 Conference
* The Pac-12 Tournament location is currently unknown, as the conference is undergoing changes.
* however,based on past trends,T-Mobile Arena in las Vegas,Nevada,is a likely candidate.
Patriot League
* The patriot Tournament begins on March 3, 2026.
* First-round games will be played at the campus sites of higher seeds.
southeastern Conference (SEC)
* The SEC Tournament will run from March 11-15, 202