First-Round Locations for the 2026 NCAA Tournament

The rotating locations of NCAA Tournament games are one of the most frequently asked about details of March Madness.

In the women’s tournament, early-round games are played at host sites awarded to top teams. But for the men’s tournament, all games from the Round of 64 on are played at true neutral sites, announced in advance. 

Below, I’ve listed the sites that will be used for the first two rounds of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball Tournament, as well as the teams that will be playing at each site.

2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: First Round Sites

2026 March Madness Location: Buffalo, N.Y. (Thursday/Saturday)

• No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard
• No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Saint Louis
• No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 North Dakota State
• No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida

2026 March Madness Location: Greenville, S.C. (Thursday/Saturday)

• No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena
• No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU
• No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Pennsylvania
• No. 6 North Carolina vs. No. 11 VCU

2026 March Madness Location: Oklahoma City (Thursday/Saturday)

• No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Idaho
• No. 7 Saint Mary’s vs. No. 10 Texas A&M
• No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy
• No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 McNeese

2026 March Madness Location: Portland, Ore. (Thursday/Saturday)

• No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State
• No. 6 BYU vs. No. 11 Texas
• No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawai’i
• No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 High Point

2026 March Madness Location: Tampa, Fla. (Friday/Sunday)

• No. 1 Florida vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M
• No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Iowa
• No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Hofstra
• No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Akron

2026 March Madness Location: Philadelphia (Friday/Sunday)

• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman
• No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF
• No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State
• No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (OH)

2026 March Madness Location: San Diego (Friday/Sunday)

• No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 LIU
• No. 8 Villanova vs. No. 9 Utah State
• No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 California Baptist
• No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa

2026 March Madness Location: St. Louis (Friday/Sunday)

• No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Tennessee State
• No. 7 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Santa Clara
• No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens
• No. 7 Miami (FL) vs. No. 10 Missouri