San Diego State will host the first and second rounds of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship March 19-22, at Viejas Arena.
Tournament Schedule
* Sunday, March 15: NCAA announces First and Second Round teams and game times
* Thursday, March 19: Open practice, 11a.m.-5p.m. (eight sessions)
* Friday, March 20: First round (four games)
- 10:35 a.m.: No. 16 LIU vs. No. 1 Arizona
- 1:10 p.m.: No. 9 Utah State vs. No. 8 Villanova
- 4:10 p.m.: No. 12 Northern Iowa vs. No. 5 St. John’s
- 6:45 p.m.: No. 13 California Baptist vs. No. 4 Kansas
* Sunday, March 22: Second round (two games)
- Game No. 1 TBA
- Game No. 2 TBA
Ticket Information
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster via the NCAA website. Practice sessions are free and do not require tickets.
Campus Operations
The SDSU campus will remain open throughout the tournament and open practice sessions. No classes will be held on Friday, March 20.
Traffic and Parking
Traffic and parking impacts are expected on and near campus during the tournament and practice sessions. Parking structures P6, P7, and P12 are reserved for tournament visitor parking only on March 20. SDSU parking permits are not valid in these structures on March 20. For more information visit SDSU Special Events Parking.
Public Transportation
MTS trolley or bus service can help save time and reduce traffic delays. Many MTS stations offer free parking. Google Maps can be used to plan transit routes, and MTS contactless payment is recommended.
2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship First & Second Round at Viejas Arena
