H2: Indianapolis to Host 2026 College Basketball Championships
Indianapolis is set to host the 2026 Division II and III men’s basketball championship games alongside the semifinals and finals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). This exciting lineup will coincide with the NCAA Men’s Final Four, all taking place in one action-packed weekend. The Final Four will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 and 6, marking the ninth time the city has hosted this premier event. The NIT semifinals will occur at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 2, with the championship game slated for April 5 at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.
Adding to the weekend’s festivities, the Division II and III championship games will be downtown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 5. This isn’t the first time Indianapolis has hosted an all-division basketball celebration; it last happened in Atlanta in 2013. Dan Gavitt, NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball, highlighted the significance of this event, expecting strong engagement from avid college basketball fans in Indiana. Recent committee meetings also saw discussions on team selection enhancements, including new metrics like Torvik and Wins Against Bubble rankings to aid evaluation.
H2: Key Committee Decisions and Leadership Updates
The committee has named Keith Gill, Sun Belt Conference commissioner, as vice chair for the 2024-25 season and chair for 2025-26. Gill, a seasoned sports administrator, has held prominent roles at the Atlantic 10 Conference, Richmond, and American universities. His appointment reflects a commitment to enriching the basketball tournament experience for all schools involved. Likewise, the introduction of referee push-to-talk microphone technology aims to enhance communication of video review results, beginning in 2025. Updates from representatives of TNT and CBS Sports discussed tournament operations, ticketing, and future site selections, showcasing continued improvements for fan and player experiences.
