The 2027 NCAA® Men’s Basketball Championship Opening Rounds are coming to downtown Wichita March 16-17, bringing six games, 12 teams and two days of win-or-go-home basketball to INTRUST Bank Arena. Public ticket sales begin Oct. 5, 2026.

For college basketball fans, that’s six reasons to start planning a Wichita trip now.

Players from Houston and Gonzaga jump to ger control of a ball during a NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game in Wichita.

What are the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Opening Rounds?

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is expanding from 68 to 76 teams in 2027, creating an expanded Opening Round played on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday.

Wichita and Dayton, Ohio, are the only two cities in the country selected to host the Opening Rounds. Twenty-four teams will compete between the two cities, with 12 taking the court right here in Wichita. Six will win and move on to join the field of 64. Six will see their seasons end.

Every game is elimination. Every team is playing to keep its season alive.

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

A teen girl and teen boy shoot hoops at Fan Fest in Naftzger Park

Tickets go on sale Oct. 5

Public ticket sales begin Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

Tickets are initially being sold as all-session packages, meaning one ticket gets you into all six games over both days. Tickets start at $100, which works out to roughly $17 per game at the starting price.

Single-session tickets are not guaranteed, so fans who want to experience the Opening Rounds should plan around the all-session ticket.

Want an earlier shot at seats? Sign up at VisitWichita.com/hoops to receive Visit Wichita’s exclusive pre-sale code and ticket details before the public on-sale.

Fans looking to elevate their experience can also explore NCAA Fan Experience Tickets and Hospitality packages powered by On Location. Premium packages may include VIP seating, exclusive access and hospitality, with options available at NCAA.com/VIP.

INTRUST Bank Arena at Night

Six games. Two days. One downtown arena.

There is a lot of basketball packed into two days.

Three games will be played back-to-back Tuesday, March 16, followed by three more Wednesday, March 17. The first tip is expected between 3 and 5 p.m. each day, with the final game expected to end near midnight. Exact game times will be set by the television schedule and announced closer to the tournament.

And don’t wait to see whether your favorite team lands in Wichita before deciding whether to come.

Part of the fun is not knowing exactly who you’ll see until the tournament field is announced. Twelve teams will arrive in Wichita and six will move on. Every matchup comes with the same stakes: win and keep playing.

A young woman smiles while holding a dog and enjoying a craft beer at Central Standard Brewing.

Why make a trip to Wichita for the Opening Rounds?

Because the basketball can anchor the trip without filling every minute of it.

INTRUST Bank Arena sits in the heart of downtown Wichita, putting visitors close to local restaurants, breweries, bars, museums, shops, public art and entertainment.

Come early for breakfast or lunch. Explore before the first tip. Stay downtown after the final buzzer.

And if you have an extra morning, afternoon or even another day to work with, Wichita gives you plenty of reasons not to rush home.

A girl and boy smile while they enjoy swimming with otters at Tanganyika Wildlife Park

What to do in Wichita before the games

Start downtown, where 10-plus museums are located within a short distance of INTRUST Bank Arena. Explore Wichita’s aviation history, art, culture and local stories without venturing far from the basketball action.

See the 44-foot Keeper of the Plains where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers meet, spend time along the riverfront or explore museums including Exploration Place, Wichita Art Museum and Old Cowtown Museum.

Families can make a stop at Exploration Place’s 6.5-acre Adventure Playscape, which includes 10 distinct play zones and aviation-inspired experiences.

Want to go a little farther? Several of Wichita’s biggest visitor experiences are just a short drive from downtown.

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.

That makes this one basketball road trip where “what should we do before the game?” has a lot more than one answer.

A woman gets ready to bite into a fresh empanada at Argentina's Empanadas while the man with her smiles.

Come hungry

March basketball requires fuel.

Wichita’s dining scene stretches well beyond game-day staples. The city is home to chefs and restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation, alongside local barbecue, burgers, global flavors, breweries, coffee shops, cocktails and plenty of other reasons to arrive hungry.

INTRUST Bank Arena’s downtown location puts many options 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.

Stay downtown and you can make a full day of it: breakfast, museums, lunch, six hours of very important basketball decisions, dinner and maybe one more stop.

And there’s plenty more happening in Wichita in March. Browse our Calendar of Events, sign up for our newsletter and order a free Visitors Guide to start building the rest of your trip.