Big Hoops Energy: March Madness 2026 Tips Off in Philly

What Can I Expect at the NCAA Playoff Games in Philly?

Each year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hosts a men’s Division I basketball tournament, otherwise known as March Madness. Saint Joseph’s University hosts the 2026 subregional round at South Philly’s Xfinity Mobile Arena this year, featuring six games across two days.

  — Photo courtesy Comcast Spectacor

The games draw thousands of fans to the arena for elite basketball — and to see the field of teams slowly get whittled down from 68 to 16. Friday, March 20, 2026 features four games across two sessions with two heart-pounding games set for one session on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Those fans are in for a treat: Xfinity Mobile Arena recently underwent a multi-year $400 million renovation project that included upgrades to suites, the mezzanine level, the main concourse, the club level, and the exterior, as well as revamped food options. The venue was recognized as one of the best venues of 2024 by Front Office Sports, a news organization covering the business of sports.

What Is the Philly March Madness Schedule for 2026?

Several hometown teams head into March Madness representing the region, including the newly crowned Ivy League champs at the University of Pennsylvania after a heart-pounding win over Yale. Penn now faces Illinois in first-round play. Both the men’s and women’s teams at Villanova made it into the bracket as well, with the women facing Texas Tech and the men battling Utah State.

With Selection Sunday in the rearview mirror, the bracket has started to fill up, including the announcement of which teams play here in Philadelphia at Xfinity Mobile Arena, where a smattering of standard tickets remain available (but going fast!) as well as verified resale options. Here’s the lowdown of teams playing in Philadelphia so far:

On Friday, March 20, 2026, session one’s games pit third-seeded Virginia against No. 14 seed Wright State in the first game at 1:50 p.m., and then No. 6 seed Tennessee faces the winner of No. 11 Miami (OH) and No. 11 Southern Methodist at 4:25 p.m. But that’s not all.

Friday’s second session starts at 7:25 p.m. as No. 7 seed UCLA tips off against No. 10 seed Central Florida, followed by top contender and No. 2 seed UConn when the Huskies face No. 15 seed Furman at 10 p.m.

Xfinity Mobile Arena hosts two second-round games on Sunday, March 22, 2026 with the teams still yet to be determined. Stay tuned for teams and tip-off times after the conclusion of round one play.

Where Can I Watch the Games? 

Want in on the March Madness fun? Philly’s reputation as a major sports town means plenty of sports bars to gather your peeps to take in a game, like Chickie’s and Pete’s numerous locations and Philly’s oldest bar, McGillin’s Olde Ale House.

McGillin's Olde Ale House   — Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

Stateside Live! hosts ongoing March Hoops watch parties for the entire series, from March 17 to April 6, 2026, with plenty of drink specials to keep the party going.

March Madness gets a bit cheesy at family-friendly Craft Hall, with Mac Madness popping up on select dates from March 19 to 29, 2026.

Philly Social Club hosts two Sweet Sixteen watch parties at Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse on Thursday, March 26, 2026 and Saturday, March 28, 2026.

For more information on the NCAA tournament, including the entire March Madness schedule, click the button below.