The upcoming 2026-27 men's college basketball season promises an invigorated landscape for multi-team events. With recent rule modifications permitting institutions to engage in up to 32 regular-season contests without multi-team event constraints and the flexibility to participate in numerous tournaments annually, the competitive arena is set for dynamic changes. This comprehensive guide meticulously outlines the major bracketed and round-robin competitions, offering crucial insights into their formats, participating teams, and significant dates. From the star-studded Players Era tournaments to the prestigious Maui Invitational and the fiercely contested Charleston Classic, this resource serves as an essential reference for followers and analysts keen on navigating the intricate world of collegiate basketball.
2026-27 Men's College Basketball Tournament Schedule Highlights
The 2026-27 men's college basketball season is poised to be an exciting one, featuring a packed schedule of multi-team events (MTEs) across the nation and beyond. Following recent rule changes by the NCAA, teams now have greater flexibility in scheduling, allowing for participation in multiple tournaments and an increased number of regular-season games.
Kicking off the season in mid-November, the Alabama A&M MTE will host a triangular round-robin from Friday, November 13th, to Sunday, November 15th, in Normal, Alabama. This event will feature Alabama A&M (SWAC), Cleveland State (Horizon), and West Florida (ASUN, reclassifying). Concurrently, the Rainbow Classic is slated for November in Honolulu, with specific dates and format still to be determined. Early participants include Cal State Fullerton (Big West), host Hawai'i (MW), and Portland (WCC).
A major highlight will be the Players Era 8 tournament, a traditional bracket competition running from Tuesday, November 17th, to Thursday, November 19th, in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Quarterfinal matchups on November 17th include Florida (SEC) against Notre Dame (ACC), Houston (Big 12) battling Rutgers (Big Ten), Kansas (Big 12) facing UNLV (MW), and West Virginia (Big 12) taking on Auburn (SEC).
As November progresses, the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship will unfold on Thursday, November 19th, and Friday, November 20th, in Nassau, Bahamas. This two-game traditional bracket tournament will see NC State (ACC), Seton Hall (Big East), and Wisconsin (Big Ten) vying for the title, with one team yet to be announced.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam is scheduled from Friday, November 20th, to Monday, November 23rd, in Charlotte Amalie, V.I. This three-game traditional bracket event features exciting quarterfinal clashes on November 20th: Temple (American) vs. Middle Tennessee (CUSA), Indiana State (MVC) vs. Stephen F. Austin (Southland), UT Martin (OVC) vs. Southern Illinois (MVC), and East Carolina (American) vs. Utah Valley (Big West).
The Charleston Classic will take place in Charleston, S.C., likely on Friday, November 20th, and Sunday, November 22nd. This two-game traditional bracket tournament will host a strong field, including Dayton (Atlantic 10), Minnesota (Big Ten), Northwestern (Big Ten), Oklahoma State (Big 12), Utah (Big 12), and Virginia Tech (ACC), with two more teams still to be determined.
Later in the month, the Northern Kentucky MTE will host a triangular round-robin from Monday, November 23rd, to Wednesday, November 25th, in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Bellarmine (ASUN), Georgia Southern (Sun Belt), and host Northern Kentucky (Horizon) will compete.
The prestigious Maui Invitational, a three-game traditional bracket, is set for Monday, November 23rd, to Wednesday, November 25th, in Lahaina, Hawai'i. Quarterfinals on November 23rd will feature Mississippi (SEC) vs. Clemson (ACC), Washington (Big Ten) vs. BYU (Big 12), VCU (Atlantic 10) vs. Providence (Big East), and Colorado State (Pac-12) vs. Arizona (Big 12).
The Fort Myers Tip-Off will offer two games with preset matchups on Tuesday, November 24th, and Thursday, November 26th, in Fort Myers, Florida. Tuesday's games include Pitt (ACC) vs. Oklahoma (SEC) and DePaul (Big East) vs. Purdue (Big Ten), with the teams swapping opponents on Thursday.
The Cancún Challenge, scheduled for Tuesday, November 24th, and Wednesday, November 25th, in Cancún, Mexico, will feature a three-game traditional bracket alongside an on-campus game component. The Mayan Division semifinals on November 24th are Southeastern Louisiana (Southland) vs. Northern Colorado (Big Sky) and North Dakota (Summit) vs. Detroit Mercy (Horizon). The Riviera Division semifinals will pit Eastern Michigan (MAC) against Kennesaw State (CUSA) and UTEP (MW) against Charleston (CAA). On-campus games are scheduled throughout November and December.
Another high-profile event, Players Era 16, will take place from Tuesday, November 24th, and Thursday to Saturday, November 26th-28th, in Las Vegas. This three-game traditional bracket tournament culminates in an overall championship game. Key quarterfinal matchups on November 24th include Tennessee (SEC) vs. Maryland (Big Ten), San Diego State (Pac-12) vs. Iowa State (Big 12), St. John's (Big East) vs. Oregon (Big Ten), Louisville (ACC) vs. Texas Tech (Big 12) in the left bracket. The right bracket will see Gonzaga (Pac-12) vs. Kansas State (Big 12), Baylor (Big 12) vs. Alabama (SEC), Michigan (Big Ten) vs. Creighton (Big East), and TCU (Big 12) vs. Miami (Fla.) (ACC).
Thanksgiving week in Palm Springs, California, will host the Acrisure Series, with its format yet to be fully announced. Pod 1, scheduled for November 25th and 26th, will feature USC (Big Ten) vs. Arizona State (Big 12) and SMU (ACC) vs. LSU (SEC), alongside a host of other teams from various conferences.
The Live Oak Holiday Classic, a three-game round-robin, will run from Wednesday, November 25th, to Saturday, November 28th, in Wilmington, N.C. Participants include Liberty (CUSA), Princeton (Ivy), St. Thomas (Summit), and host UNCW (CAA).
The ESPN Events Invitational is tentatively set for Thursday, November 26th, and Friday, November 27th, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, with its format to be determined. Confirmed matchups include Boston College (ACC) vs. UCF (Big 12) and Cincinnati (Big 12) vs. Georgia (SEC), with return games between Boston College vs. Cincinnati and UCF vs. Georgia.
The Battle 4 Atlantis will take place on Thursday, November 26th, and Friday, November 27th, on Paradise Island, Bahamas, featuring two games with preset matchups. Group 1 includes Marquette and Xavier (Big East) facing Texas A&M (SEC) and Virginia (ACC), while Group 2 pits Memphis (American) against Mississippi State (SEC) and Penn State (Big Ten) against Wake Forest (ACC).
San Diego will host the Rady Children's Invitational on Thursday, November 26th, and Friday, November 27th. This two-game traditional bracket tournament will feature semifinals on November 26th: Georgetown (Big East) vs. Texas (SEC) and UCLA (Big Ten) vs. Saint Mary's (WCC).
Wrapping up November, the Boise MTE, a three-game traditional round-robin, will occur from Friday, November 27th, to Sunday, November 29th, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State (Pac-12), Drake (MVC), North Dakota State (Summit), and North Texas (American) will participate. Similarly, the Hofstra MTE in Hempstead, N.Y., and the Lafayette Classic in Easton, Pa., both three-game traditional round-robins, will run concurrently. The Hofstra MTE includes Colgate (Patriot), host Hofstra (CAA), Merrimack (Metro), and Vermont (AE), while the Lafayette Classic features host Lafayette (Patriot), Le Moyne (NEC), Maine (AE), and Niagara (Metro).
A Stony Brook MTE is also planned for November, with dates and formats still to be determined, featuring Lindenwood (OVC), New Haven (NEC, reclassifying), and host Stony Brook (CAA). Another Hawai'i Thanksgiving Week Event will see Fresno State (Pac-12), host Hawai'i (MW), and Sacramento State (Big West) compete.
December will bring The Dallas Tournament from Friday, December 18th, to Monday, December 21st, in Frisco, Texas, with two games and set matchups. Notable games include Florida Atlantic (American) vs. Colorado State (Pac-12) and Loyola Chicago (Atlantic 10) vs. Nevada (MW) on Sunday, December 20th.
Finally, a Southern California Event will occur from Monday, December 21st, to Wednesday, December 23rd, in San Juan Capistrano, California, with Boise State and Oregon State (Pac-12) facing New Mexico (MW) and Santa Clara (WCC). Another Hawai'i Holiday Event is planned for December in Honolulu, with specifics yet to be announced.
These tournaments underscore the NCAA's commitment to enhancing the college basketball experience, offering fans a rich tapestry of competitive matchups and diverse venues throughout the season. The increased flexibility for teams promises more engaging schedules and potentially more unexpected outcomes, making the 2026-27 season one to watch closely.
