NCAA tournament games are set to take place in Portland in March 2026, placing the city among the official host locations for the opening rounds of one of college basketball’s most widely followed events. The games will be held at the Moda Center, the arena that serves as home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.
The NCAA has scheduled first and second round tournament games in Portland on March 19 and March 21, 2026. The selection places the city within the national rotation of host sites chosen to stage early tournament matchups across the United States. These rounds are among the most widely watched stages of the tournament calendar as dozens of teams compete for advancement toward the regional finals and ultimately the Final Four.
Portland’s inclusion reflects the NCAA’s long running strategy of distributing tournament games across multiple regions to ensure broad fan access and geographic representation.
NCAA Tournament Returns to Portland’s Moda Center
The NCAA tournament schedule confirms that the Moda Center will host first round and second round games during the opening weekend of the 2026 tournament. The arena has a seating capacity of more than 19,000 for basketball events and has previously hosted college basketball competitions, including NCAA tournament games in past years.
The venue’s downtown location and infrastructure allow it to accommodate large national events. The facility regularly hosts professional basketball, concerts, and major sporting events, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the Pacific Northwest.
For the NCAA, selecting Portland provides an opportunity to stage tournament games in a major West Coast market while maintaining the geographic balance used throughout the tournament structure.
The early rounds of the NCAA tournament are conducted simultaneously across several cities each year. In 2026, Portland joins other host locations including Buffalo, Philadelphia, Tampa, San Diego, Greenville, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City. Each site will host multiple games during the first two rounds as teams advance through the bracket.
NCAA Opening Rounds Scheduled for March 19 and March 21
The 2026 NCAA tournament will begin with the First Four games earlier in the week before the main bracket begins. Portland’s sessions are scheduled for Thursday, March 19, and Saturday, March 21.
During the opening round, four games will be played at each host venue. The winners from those games will return two days later for second round matchups. Teams that win their second round games advance to the regional semifinals, commonly referred to as the Sweet Sixteen.
The complete list of teams assigned to each host city is determined after Selection Sunday, when the NCAA Selection Committee releases the full bracket. As a result, the specific teams that will compete in Portland will not be finalized until shortly before the tournament begins.
The tournament field consists of 68 teams representing conferences across Division I men’s college basketball. The bracket structure is designed to determine a national champion through a single elimination format.
How NCAA Host Cities Are Selected
The NCAA selects tournament host cities through a multi year bidding process. Cities submit proposals that outline arena capacity, operational logistics, transportation access, and hotel availability.
The organization evaluates each candidate city on factors such as venue readiness, experience hosting major sporting events, and the ability to accommodate visiting teams and fans.
Portland has previously demonstrated the capacity to host large sporting events and national tournaments. The presence of a modern arena and the city’s established sports infrastructure contribute to its selection as a recurring host location.
By rotating host cities across different regions, the NCAA ensures that tournament games remain accessible to fans throughout the country. This system also allows conferences from various geographic areas to compete in venues closer to their fan bases during the early rounds.
Economic Activity Expected Around NCAA Tournament Weekend
Large sporting events such as the NCAA tournament typically generate measurable activity for local businesses in host cities. Tournament games draw traveling fans, media organizations, team personnel, and event staff.
Hotels near the arena often experience increased occupancy during tournament weekends. Restaurants, transportation services, and retail businesses also see higher levels of activity as visitors arrive for multiple days of games.
While the NCAA does not publish a standardized economic estimate for each host city, previous tournament hosts have reported increased visitor spending associated with the event. The presence of nationally televised games also brings additional visibility to the host location.
For Portland, hosting the NCAA tournament places the city within the national spotlight of March Madness coverage. Media outlets across the country cover the games as teams compete in one of the most widely followed annual events in college sports.
Portland’s Place in the NCAA Tournament Landscape
The NCAA tournament is widely recognized as the signature championship event in Division I men’s college basketball. The tournament has been held annually since 1939 and now includes 68 teams competing across multiple rounds over three weeks.
The early rounds, which Portland will host in 2026, are often considered among the most unpredictable stages of the competition. Lower seeded teams frequently advance past higher ranked programs, creating unexpected outcomes that shape the remainder of the bracket.
The tournament culminates in the Final Four and the national championship game, which rotate among large stadium venues in major metropolitan areas.
Although Portland will host only the first and second rounds, these games represent a critical stage in the tournament progression. Teams that win twice during opening weekend move forward to the regional rounds, bringing them closer to the national championship.
