Printable NIT bracket and schedule for 2026

Did your favorite college basketball team miss out on the 2026 NCAA tournament? Well, not all is lost because 32 teams will soon have a chance to compete in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Here’s what you need to know for the 2026 National Invitation Tournament.

2026 NIT printable bracket

This story will be updated once the NIT bracket drops.

What is the NIT?

The 2026 National Invitation Tournament will include 32 teams and conclude with the semifinals April 2 and the championship April 5. The final two rounds will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse and Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Who is playing in the NIT? How NIT field is chosen

Exempt bids: Two eligible teams from each of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC) with the best KNIT score as of the morning of March 15 will receive an exempt bid. The KNIT is a compilation of other established rankings to judge a team’s merit. Those four teams will have the opportunity to host first-round games.

Each of the top 12 conferences, as determined by the KenPom ratings as of the morning of March 15, will receive one exempt bid. The bid will be given to the team in each conference with the best KNIT score. Those teams will have the chance to host first-round games.

Automatic bids: Those go to regular-season conference champs that have a KNIT score of 125 or better as of the morning after that league’s regular-season ends.

At-large bids: A committee selects teams to complete the 32-team field.

2026 NIT schedule

First round: Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, at campus sites, ESPN2 and ESPNU.
Second round: Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, at campus sites, ESPN2 and ESPNU.
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, at campus sites, ESPN2.
Semifinals: Thursday, April 2, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, ESPN.
Championship: Sunday, April 5, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, ESPN 2.

When do NIT brackets open?

The teams and contests for the 2026 NIT release March 15.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2026 NIT printable bracket, schedule

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