The road to Indianapolis officially begins this weekend. As the conference tournaments wrap up across the country, 64 teams are preparing to extend their seasons in the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. We have the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s basketball tournament Bracket and schedule for you here.
Whether you are tracking the defending champions from Nova Southeastern or looking for this year’s Cinderella, here is everything you need to know about the selection show and the road to the Elite Eight. Once the brackets are set, we’ll update you here with the full schedule, matchups, results, and more.
How to Watch: The Selection Show (NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball)
The field of 64 will be officially unveiled tomorrow night. Unlike the DI selection show, the DII bracket is released during a dedicated web stream on NCAA.com.
- Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Time: 11:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. CT)
- Where to Watch: NCAA.com
Printable 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket
Here’s the printable 2026 NCAA DII Men’s basketball Tournament Bracket. The updated one is posted here by the NCAA.
The 2026 NCAA DII Men’s Basketball Tournament Format
The DII championship features 64 teams divided into eight geographically oriented regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast, and West). Each region contains eight teams.
The first three rounds (Regionals) are played at campus sites, typically hosted by the No. 1 seed in each region. The eight regional winners then advance to the Elite Eight, which moves to a predetermined neutral site to crown a national champion.
2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament Schedule
Mark your calendars for the following key dates as the 2026 NCAA Division II Men’s basketball tournament progresses from campus sites to the national finals:
- Selection Sunday: March 8
- Regional Quarterfinals: Saturday, March 14
- Regional Semifinals: Sunday, March 15
- Regional Finals: Tuesday, March 17
- Elite Eight (Quarterfinals): Wednesday, March 25 (Pittsburgh, PA)
- National Semifinals: Friday, March 27 (Pittsburgh, PA)
- National Championship: Sunday, April 5 (Indianapolis, IN)
2026 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship Locations
The 2026 tournament concludes with a split-site finale. The Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be held at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, PA.
In a special showcase, the DII National Championship game will be played on Sunday, April 5, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This coincides with the DI Final Four weekend, giving DII athletes the biggest possible stage for the title game.
Resources for Your Bracket
At SportsBrackets.net, we have you covered for the entire tournament:
- AI Predictions: Check out our 2026 DI AI Model Projections article.
- March Madness Portal: All things related to March Madness for you.
2026 NCAA Division II Selection Show
This video provides the official broadcast of the selection process and bracket unveiling for the national tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the 2026 NCAA DII Selection Show?
The selection show will air Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11 p.m. ET. You can stream the announcement live exclusively on NCAA.com.
How many teams make the DII tournament?
The field consists of 64 teams. Unlike DI, which has 68 teams and the “First Four” play-in games, the DII tournament begins immediately with a clean 64-team bracket.
How are the regions determined?
The tournament is divided into eight regions (Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast, and West). Each region has eight teams. To minimize travel, teams generally stay within their geographic region for the first three rounds.
Where are the early rounds played?
The first three rounds (Regionals) are played at campus sites. The No. 1 seed in each of the eight regions typically earns the right to host their entire regional bracket.
What is the “Elite Eight” format?
In Division II, the winners of the eight regional tournaments all advance to a single neutral site—the Elite Eight. This year, the Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be held at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, PA, from March 25–27.
When and where is the National Championship game?
The 2026 National Championship game is on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. It is part of a massive weekend in Indy that also features the DI Final Four and the DIII Championship.
