Wichita will host the 2027 NCAA® Men’s Basketball Championship Opening Rounds March 16-17, 2027, at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita.

Beginning in 2027, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will expand from 68 to 76 teams. Wichita and Dayton, Ohio, are the only two cities hosting the expanded Opening Round games. Twelve teams will compete in Wichita, with six advancing to join the field of 64. Every game is elimination, so every team that takes the court is playing to keep its season alive.

There are a lot of firsts. This will be the first time Wichita has hosted the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Opening Rounds. Wichita previously hosted Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Round games in 2018 and 2025 as well as Women’s Basketball Championship regional games in 2022. It is also the first year of the expanded Opening Round format, with 24 teams competing between Wichita and Dayton. Twelve of those teams will play right here in Wichita.

Six games will be played at INTRUST Bank Arena: three back-to-back games Tuesday, March 16 and three Wednesday, March 17. Twelve teams will arrive in Wichita and six will move on to join the field of 64.

Yes. Every game has major stakes: win and advance to the field of 64, lose and the season is over. That means fans will see six win-or-go-home games over two days.

The first game is expected to tip off between 3 and 5 p.m. each day, with the final game expected to end near midnight. Exact times will be determined by the television schedule and announced closer to the event.

The teams competing in Wichita will not be known until the 2027 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship field is announced. The matchups may be a surprise, but the stakes will not be: 12 teams arrive in Wichita, six advance and every game is elimination.

The matchups will not be known until shortly before the games. Wichita State, Kansas, Kansas State and other regional teams could only appear in the Opening Rounds if they qualify for this stage of the tournament, so fans should not purchase tickets expecting a particular team. What is guaranteed is six elimination games with teams competing to advance to the field of 64.

Yes. Wichita hosted NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Round games in 2018 and 2025 and NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship regional games in 2022. The 2027 event will mark Wichita’s first time hosting the new Men’s Basketball Championship Opening Rounds, and the city has also been selected to host them again in 2028.

Wichita State University will serve as the host institution in partnership with Visit Wichita, INTRUST Bank Arena, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County.

Tickets go on sale to the public Oct. 5, 2026. Sign up at VisitWichita.com/hoops to receive Visit Wichita’s exclusive pre-sale code and pre-sale details before the public on sale.

No. Signing up gives you access to Visit Wichita’s exclusive pre-sale code, but tickets are subject to availability. We recommend purchasing early once the pre-sale opens for the best selection of available seats.

One all-session ticket gives you access to all six Opening Round games in Wichita: three games Tuesday and three Wednesday. Tickets start at $100, which works out to about $17 per game at the lowest price level.

Yes. The NCAA Fan Experience Package is an in-game experience that includes pre-game and in-game hospitality.

Tickets include: 

• All-Sessions game ticket
• Pre-game drink tickets and tailgate fare
• NCAA trophy photo opportunity
• In-game cash bar access
• Appetizers between games

Explore more NCAA Fan Experience Packages and pricing details.

Initially, tickets will be sold as all-session tickets covering all six games across both days. The NCAA may release single-session tickets later depending on ticket availability, but single-session tickets are not guaranteed.

All-session tickets start at $100 and include all six games, or roughly $17 per game at the starting price. It is an incredible value for fans who want to experience NCAA tournament basketball live.

Yes. NCAA Fan Experience Tickets and Hospitality packages powered by On Location are available now for fans looking to elevate their gameday experience. Premium packages may include VIP seating, exclusive access and hospitality. Visit NCAA.com/VIP to explore available NCAA Fan Experience packages.

For college basketball fans, there is a lot packed into two days: 12 teams, six elimination games and one ticket that covers them all. Add a downtown arena surrounded by restaurants, bars, hotels and things to do, and the Opening Rounds are an easy excuse to turn two days of basketball into a Wichita getaway.

Wichita and Dayton are the only two cities hosting the expanded Opening Rounds in 2027, with each city welcoming 12 teams for six games. Wichita offers high-stakes NCAA tournament basketball at INTRUST Bank Arena in the heart of downtown, with restaurants, bars, hotels and entertainment nearby. For fans traveling from Kansas, Oklahoma or elsewhere in the central U.S., Wichita also makes for an easy basketball road trip.

Wichita combines a strong basketball culture with an easy-to-navigate downtown and plenty to experience beyond the games. Fans can see six NCAA tournament games over two days at INTRUST Bank Arena, then step outside to fine dining, entertainment, attractions and other activities nearby. Wichita also has experience welcoming NCAA basketball fans, having hosted First and Second Round games.

This is Wichita’s opportunity to show up on the national stage. When the country tunes in, we want them to see a packed INTRUST Bank Arena and an energized Wichita crowd. A great atmosphere benefits the teams and fans while strengthening Wichita’s reputation as a destination for future NCAA championships and other major sporting events. Hosting is a community effort, and every filled seat helps Wichita deliver.

Quite a bit. INTRUST Bank Arena is in downtown Wichita, putting fans close to local restaurants, breweries, bars, shops, public art and 10-plus museums. Explore Wichita’s aviation history, art, culture and more, all within a short distance of the arena. With the first tip expected in the late afternoon, there’s time to experience the city before settling in for an evening of basketball. Explore downtown Wichita museums or find more things to do in Wichita.

Come hungry. Wichita’s dining scene includes everything from barbecue and burgers to global flavors, local breweries and chef-driven restaurants. The city is also home to restaurants and chefs recognized by the James Beard Foundation and INTRUST Bank Arena’s downtown location puts plenty of local dining within walking distance or a short drive. Make plans for breakfast or lunch before the first tip, grab dinner downtown or keep the night going after the final buzzer. Explore Wichita restaurants.

Start with experiences you won’t find on every basketball road trip. At Tanganyika Wildlife Park, visitors can get remarkably close to wildlife through experiences that include feeding lions and opportunities to swim with penguins and otters. Sedgwick County Zoo is home to nearly 400 species, including its African elephant herd and four baby African elephants. Families can also explore the 6.5-acre Adventure Playscape at Exploration Place, complete with 10 play zones and aviation-inspired experiences.

And you won’t have to venture far from the basketball action to find more. Downtown Wichita and the surrounding riverfront are home to 10-plus museums, along with public art, local shops, restaurants and some of the city’s most recognizable attractions.

Many of Wichita’s downtown museums, restaurants, shops and entertainment options are within walking distance or a short drive of INTRUST Bank Arena. Major attractions including Sedgwick County Zoo, Tanganyika Wildlife Park and other visitor favorites are also within an easy drive, making it possible to fit more into your trip without spending your day getting from one place to another.

Staying in or near downtown Wichita puts you close to INTRUST Bank Arena as well as restaurants, nightlife, museums and other things to do. Wichita also offers hotels throughout the city at a variety of price points, making it easy to find a home base that works for your basketball getaway. Find Wichita hotels.

Yes. INTRUST Bank Arena is in the heart of downtown Wichita, with restaurants, bars, entertainment, shops, public art and museums nearby. Visitors staying downtown can experience much of the tournament atmosphere and explore the surrounding area without having to travel far.

Absolutely. The games are Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16-17, but arriving early or staying a little longer gives you time to experience more of Wichita. Build your trip around James Beard-recognized dining, wildlife encounters, museums, aviation attractions, local breweries, shopping and neighborhoods. Then add six win-or-go-home NCAA tournament games to the itinerary.

Basketball can anchor the trip, but it does not have to fill the entire itinerary. Check the Visit Wichita Calendar of Events as your trip gets closer for concerts, live entertainment, family activities and other events happening during your stay.