The 2026 Sun Belt Tournament schedule delivers reliable mid-major excitement every March, with a tournament that’s become known for occasional upsets, Cinderella runs, and strong regional fan support. Teams like Appalachian State (App State) and James Madison have made national headlines with memorable NCAA upsets in recent years, while consistent bracket previews highlight the league’s potential for bubble drama and value picks. For fans in the Southeast and beyond, the 2026 Sun Belt Tournament is a highlight of Champ Week.
Hosted for the sixth straight year (and locked in through 2030) at the Pensacola Bay Center in sunny Pensacola, Florida, this 14-team single-elimination event crowns the automatic NCAA bid for the conference. Whether you’re tracking a potential sleeper or building your March Madness bracket, here’s your complete guide.
Key 2026 Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Tournament Details
Kere are key details for the 2026 Sun Belt Men’s basketball tournament for you. It takes place a tad sooner than the other conference tournaments we’ll all be watching in March.
- Dates: March 3–9, 2026 (full 14-team bracket: early rounds March 3–6, quarterfinals March 7, semifinals March 8, championship March 9)
- Location: Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, Florida
- Format: 14 teams qualify (seeded by conference record with tiebreakers); lower seeds play early rounds, with byes for higher seeds; single-elimination throughout
- Why Pensacola?: The coastal venue (recently upgraded) offers a fun, accessible atmosphere with beach vibes. It’s proven a reliable host with strong attendance.
- TV Broadcast: All games on ESPN+, with select matchups (including the championship) on ESPN/ESPN2 linear networks; check sunbeltsports.org for final TV/streaming details.
- Tickets: Available now via Ticketmaster or the conference site (all-session packages, including courtside/floor seats, offer great value for multi-game viewing).
2026 Sun Belt Tournament Schedule & Bracket
Here’s the 2026 Sun Belt Tournament Schedule and bracket for you. The Seeding is based on regular-season conference play (ends early March). The bracket features a full 14-team setup with early-round games giving underdogs a shot.
(Times CT/ET, subject to change):
- First Round (Tuesday, March 3): 2 games (~5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
- Second Round (Wednesday, March 4): 2 games (~5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
- Third Round (Thursday, March 5): 2 games (~5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
- Quarterfinals (Friday, March 6): 2 games (~5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
- Semifinals (Saturday, March 7): 2 games (~5:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.)
- Championship (Monday, March 9): Title game ~6:00 p.m. (on ESPN/ESPN2)
Full bracket, live scores, and updates will be posted on sunbeltsports.org as the season concludes. The winner earns the automatic NCAA bid.
Printable 2026 Sun Belt Tournament Bracket
[Printable 2026 Sun Belt Tournament Bracket PDF]
Download our free, printable bracket template to fill in as games unfold! (Link to your PDF here Great for predictions, pools, or tracking regional rivalries. You can also save or print the bracket in image format below to PDF format.
Tie-In to March Madness & Regional Buzz
The Sun Belt often produces bracket-busting moments and solid NCAA performers. App State’s energy and James Madison’s recent success show the league’s upside. As we head into the full 2026 March Madness schedule (Selection Sunday: March 15; First Four: March 17-18 in Dayton; Final Four: April 4-6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium), Sun Belt teams frequently appear as intriguing 12- or 13-seeds with upset potential.
For more NCAA Tournament resources:
- 2026 March Madness Schedule: Dates, Locations, TV, Printable Bracket & Key Info (Updated January 2026)
- Printable 2026 March Madness Bracket: Download Your Free NCAA Tournament Template
- 2026 March Madness Women’s Schedule; Times, TV Broadcasts
- Printable 2026 Women’s March Madness Bracket; Schedule and Results
- Early 2026 March Madness Odds: Favorites, Sleepers & Bracket Predictions
Early 2026 March Madness Odds & Predictions
Sun Belt standouts like James Madison or App State can offer sleeper value in futures and parlays. Use our tools to analyze lines:
- Free Odds Converter – Convert moneyline to decimal/fractional for Sun Belt games or NCAA matchups.
- Free Parlay Odds Calculator – Build brackets with Sun Belt champs or March Madness multis.
Stay tuned to SportsBrackets.net for live updates, bracket challenges, and more as the tournament approaches.
Updated February 2026 | SportsBrackets.net – Tools for Smarter Betting & Bracket Fun
