When does the 2026-27 men's college basketball season start? Here are the full dates, schedule to know

With the MLB and WNBA seasons nearing their conclusion, college basketball is ready to take center stage as the 2026-27 NCAA men's basketball season gets underway. The new campaign promises exciting matchups, fresh talent and an unpredictable race for the national championship.

Defending national champion Michigan enters the season with significant changes to its roster and coaching staff following Dusty May's departure for the NBA. Meanwhile, Florida, the 2025 national champion, begins the season ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls, ahead of Duke, which hopes to capture another national title under head coach Jon Scheyer.

With several powerhouse programs looking to make their mark, fans can expect another thrilling season of college basketball. Here's everything to know about the 2026-27 NCAA men's basketball season start date, end date, and key dates.

When Does the 2026-27 Men's College Basketball Season Start?

The 2026-27 NCAA men's basketball season officially begins on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with a single opening-day matchup, The first game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1, when Notre Dame takes on Villanova at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Rome, Italy.

Games continue on Monday, Nov. 2 and the following days.. Most Division I teams will begin their regular-season schedules on Monday, November 2, kicking off months of competition leading toward March Madness and the 2027 NCAA Tournament.

2026 Men's college basketball opening night schedule, Top 25 ranked game times, TV info

On Sunday, Nov. 1, just one games is scheduled — Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome, Italy — pitting Pope Leo XIV's alma mater (Villanova) against another Catholic institution (Notre Dame) just outside his residence (Vatican City).

There are 183 games involving Division I teams on Monday, Nov. 2, with the first game tipping off at midnight as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon (Liberty vs. High Point).

Here are the ranked teams in action that day:

No. 14 Miami vs. No. 1 Florida, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Oakland vs. No. 16 Michigan, 6 p.m. ET (BTN)

Army vs. No. 2 Duke, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Monmouth vs. No. 13 St. John's, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Quinnipiac vs. No. 6 Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET (B1G+)

Memphis vs. No. 18 Iowa State, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)

Jackson State vs. No. 19 Texas Tech, 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN)

Bellarmine vs. No. 24 Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. ET (SECN+)

No. 15 Gonzaga vs. Purdue, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Fairleigh Dickinson vs. No. 3 Illinois, 8 p.m. ET (BTN)

Fordham vs. No. 17 Kansas, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Gardner-Webb vs. No. 4 UConn, 9 p.m. ET (Peacock)

Chicago State vs. No. 7 Texas, 9 p.m. ET (SECN)

La Salle vs. No. 10 Houston, 9 p.m. ET (CBSSN)

Chattanooga vs. No. 11 Louisville, 9 p.m. ET (ACCN)

Ohio State vs. No. 25 BYU, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)

No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 22 UCLA, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)

Milwaukee vs. No. 21 USC, 10:30 p.m. ET (B1G+)..

When does the men's college basketball season end?

The last games before the NCAA Tournament will be played on Sunday, March 14, 2027.

Conference tournaments will be held throughout that week leading into Selection Sunday on March 14.

This season's NCAA tournament begins with Selection Sunday on March 17.

Games then start with the expanded Opening Round (March 16-17) followed by the First Round (March 18-19), Second Round (March 20-21), Sweet 16 (March 25-26), Elite Eight (March 27-28), Final Four (April 3) and finally the national championship (April 5).

When does the men's March Madness start in 2027?

The NCAA Tournament will look a little different this season, with the field expanding from 68 teams to 76 for a super-sized opening round. The traditional First Four in Dayton, Ohio, will include 12 games this season instead of four, followed by the usual setup of 64 teams in the first round.

Action will begin on Tuesday, March 16, 2027, and end with the national championship on Monday, April 5, 2027.

Where is the 2027 Final Four?

The 2027 Final Four will be held at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

It will mark the city's second time hosting the men's Final Four and first time since 2009, when North Carolina beat Michigan State in the title game.

When does the 2026-27 women's college basketball season start?

The 2026–27 NCAA Division I women's college basketball season officially tips off on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

The action begins internationally at noon ET in Rome, Italy, featuring a matchup between Notre Dame and Villanova at the Palazzetto dello Sport.

2026 Women's College Basketball Opening Matchups Schedule, Game times, TV

Following the opening game in Italy, a full slate of games follows on Monday, 2 November 2026, including several marquee showcases:

Date Matchup Event / Location Time (ET)

Sunday, 1 Nov Villanova vs. Notre Dame Eternal City Tip-Off (Rome, Italy) 12:00 PM

Monday, 2 Nov Hofstra vs. Georgia Tech Education Day (Atlanta, GA) 10:30 AM

Monday, 2 Nov Maryland vs. No. 1 South Carolina Aflac Oui-Play (Paris, France) Afternoon

Monday, 2 Nov Oklahoma vs. North Carolina Aflac Oui-Play (Paris, France) Afternoon

Monday, 2 Nov USC vs. UNLV Hall of Fame Series (Las Vegas, NV) Afternoon

Monday, 2 Nov Arizona vs. Stanford Regular Season Opener (Las Vegas, NV) Afternoon

When does the 2026-27 women's college basketball season End? Here are the dates to Know

The 2026–27 NCAA Division I women's college basketball season concludes on Sunday, 4 April 2027, when the National Championship game is played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The complete timeline of key dates across the conclusion of the regular season, conference tournaments, and the newly expanded 76-team March Madness tournament includes:

Phase / Event Date(s) Details

Regular Season Ends Early March 2027 Final regular season games wrap up across all major conferences.

Conference Tournaments 1 March – 14 March 2027 Teams battle for automatic bids to the NCAA tournament.

Selection Sunday Sunday, 14 March 2027 The official 76-team bracket is revealed.

First Four (Play-in Games) Wednesday, 17 March – Thursday, 18 March 2027 The opening games for the expanded tournament field.

First Round Friday, 19 March – Saturday, 20 March 2027 The round of 64 tips off at campus sites.

Second Round Sunday, 21 March – Monday, 22 March 2027 Teams compete for a spot in the Sweet 16.

Sweet 16 Friday, 26 March – Saturday, 27 March 2027 Regional semifinal matchups.

Elite Eight Sunday, 28 March – Monday, 29 March 2027 Regional finals to determine the Final Four.

Women's Final Four Friday, 2 April 2027 National semifinals in Columbus, Ohio.

National Championship Sunday, 4 April 2027 The season finale at Nationwide Arena.

Who is the defending college basketball champions?

Michigan goes into the season as the defending national champion. The Wolverines beat UConn 69-63 in the title game to deny the Huskies their third championship in four years and win their program's first since 1989.

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