The 2026 TBT (The Basketball Tournament) tips off July 18 and runs through the August 2 championship, with a $2 million winner-take-all prize on the line. This year debuts a new two-bracket format, eight alumni teams and eight non-alumni teams on separate sides, so we built a free printable 2026 TBT bracket you can fill in as the games play out, plus the full schedule and TV grid.
2026 TBT: Quick Facts
- What: The Basketball Tournament (TBT) 2026, 13th edition, 5-on-5 single elimination
- Prize: $2,000,000, winner-take-all
- Dates: July 18 to August 2, 2026
- Teams: 16 (8 alumni + 8 non-alumni, in separate brackets)
- Round 1: best-of-three series; later rounds are single elimination
- Ending: Elam Ending (game clock off under 4:00, target score = leader plus 8)
- Where: alumni rounds at campus sites (each team hosts at least one game); non-alumni rounds at M Resort Spa Casino, Las Vegas; the championship is at the alumni champion’s home court
- TV: 20 games on FOX, FS1, and FS2; other games stream on YouTube
Printable 2026 TBT Bracket (PDF)
Our low-ink printable bracket has the alumni Round 1 matchups pre-filled and the non-alumni side left blank to fill in. Print it, run an office pool, or track the road to $2 million.
Alumni Bracket: Round 1 (best-of-3, July 18-24)
- The Ville (Louisville) vs La Familia (Kentucky)
- Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse) vs Hall In (Seton Hall)
- JHX Hoops (Kansas) vs Purple Reign (Kansas State)
- AfterShocks (Wichita State, defending champion) vs The Enchantment (New Mexico)
Non-Alumni Bracket
Eight non-alumni and sponsor-backed teams play their rounds at M Resort in Las Vegas. The field is being finalized ahead of July 18, so the printable bracket leaves this side blank to fill in. We will list the eight teams here once TBT confirms them.
2026 TBT Schedule & TV
| Round | Dates | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (best-of-3) | July 18-24 | FS1 / FS2 / YouTube |
| Quarterfinals | July 26-27 | FS1 |
| Semifinals | July 29 | FS1 |
| Non-alumni final | July 30 | FS1 |
| Championship | August 2 | FOX |
What is the Elam Ending?
When the game clock reaches 4:00 in the second half, it is turned off at the first dead ball and a target score is set (the leading team’s score plus 8). The first team to reach the target wins, so every TBT game ends on a made basket and there is no overtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 TBT start?
The 2026 TBT begins July 18, 2026, and the championship is August 2 on FOX.
How much does the TBT winner get?
$2,000,000, winner-take-all.
How many teams are in the 2026 TBT?
Sixteen: eight alumni teams and eight non-alumni teams in separate brackets.
How can I watch the 2026 TBT?
Twenty games air on FOX, FS1, and FS2; other games stream on YouTube.
More printable brackets: see our printable brackets hub for single-elimination, double-elimination, round-robin, and pool-play templates.
