Big Sky basketball tournament tip-off times announced

FARMINGTON, Utah — Four games were selected for linear TV as tip-off times and television designations for the 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships in Boise in March were announced.

The tournament takes place for the eighth consecutive year at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise, with 18 games scheduled over five days from March 7-11. All 10 Big Sky schools will be included in the men’s and women's tournaments, competing for an automatic bid to the NCAA’s March Madness.

The first 14 games of the tournament will air on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports stations throughout the Big Sky Conference footprint, with the final four games of the tournament being televised on ESPN linear networks. The women's championship game and first men's semifinal contest will air on ESPNU, while the second men's semifinal game and the men's championship will be broadcast on ESPN2. 

Fans can purchase all-tournament, all-men's session and all-women's session ticket packages now for courtside, reserved, and general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased via IdahoCentralArena.com or by visiting StarchMadness.com.

Single-session tickets will be available to purchase in early February. 

Tip-off times will mirror that of years past, with all game times for the tournament listed below.

Times Pacific

2026 Big Sky Women's Basketball Championship 

March 7-11

Boise

Idaho Central Arena

First Round (WBB Session 1) – Saturday, March 7

Game 1: #9 Seed vs. #10 Seed – 11 a.m. (ESPN+)

Game 2: #7 Seed vs. #8 Seed – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Second Round (WBB Session 2) – Sunday, March 8

Game 3: #1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner – 11 a.m. (ESPN+)

Game 4: #2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Third Round (WBB Session 3) – Monday, March 9

Game 5: #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed – 11 a.m. (ESPN+)

Game 6: #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Semifinals (WBB Session 4) – Tuesday, March 10

Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 11 a.m. (ESPN+)

Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner – 1:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Championship (WBB Session 5) – Wednesday, March 11

Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner – 2 p.m. (ESPNU)

2026 Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship 

March 7-11

Boise

Idaho Central Arena

First Round (MBB Session 1) – Saturday, March 7

Game 1: #9 Seed vs. #10 Seed – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Game 2: #7 Seed vs. #8 Seed – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Second Round (MBB Session 2) – Sunday, March 8

Game 3: #1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Game 4: #2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Third Round (MBB Session 3) – Monday, March 9

Game 5: #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed – 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Game 6: #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Semifinals (MBB Session 4) – Tuesday, March 10

Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 4 p.m. (ESPNU)

Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Championship (MBB Session 5) – Wednesday, March 11

Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner – 8:30 p.m. (ESPN2)