2026 OVC Tournament Returns to Evansville’s Ford Center

The 2026 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) men's and women's basketball tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th, through Saturday, March 7th, featuring the top eight men’s and women’s Division I teams in the league.

Now in its ninth consecutive year at the Ford Center in downtown Evansville, the event once again promises four days of intense competition, passionate fan support, and a festival-like atmosphere as student-athletes chase postseason dreams in one of mid-March’s most compelling conference championships.

 2026 OVC Tournament Game Schedule

All Times Listed are Central Standard Time

Wednesday, March 4th

• Women's session
  • Game 1: 1 PM - #5 Seed vs. #8 Seed
  • Game 2: 3:30 PM - #6 Seed vs. #7 Seed
• Men's session
  • Game 1: 6:30 PM - #5 Seed vs. #8 Seed
  • Game 2: 9 PM - #6 Seed vs. #7 Seed

Thursday, March 5th

• Women's session
  • Game 3: 1 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Seed
  • Game 4: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Seed
• Men's session
  • Game 3: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Seed
  • Game 4: 9 PM - Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Seed

Friday, March 6th

• Women's session
  • Game 5: 1 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Seed
  • Game 6: 3:30 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Seed
• Men's session
  • Game 5: 6:30 PM - Winner of Game 3 vs. #1 Seed
  • Game 6: 9 PM - Winner of Game 4 vs. #2 Seed

Saturday, March 7th

• Women's Championship Game: 2 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
• Men's Championship Game: 7 PM - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner

As the final buzzer sounds, the 2026 tournament will once again remind fans why the Ohio Valley Conference championship has become one of the most anticipated events of the year in Evansville.

2026 Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Tickets

Tickets are on sale now and are available for single sessions and/or the entire tournament. Visit Ticketmaster.com to see all of the options.

[Source: OVC Sports]