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when does the big ten tournament start

The 2026 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament starts on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Quick Scoop

  • First games are played on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 (Round 1).
  • The tournament then runs through Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Chicago.
  • Opening matchups feature the lowest seeds (for example, No. 16 vs. No. 17, and No. 15 vs. No. 18).

Why this matters now

We’re already into tournament week (it’s March 11, 2026), so the Big Ten Tournament started yesterday , and early-round games are underway.

Fans on forums and social media are talking a lot about the expanded 18‑team bracket and how the extra early-round day on March 10 changes rest and momentum for lower seeds.

Fast facts at a glance

  • Start date: March 10, 2026.
  • End date: March 15, 2026.
  • Location: United Center, Chicago.
  • Format: All 18 Big Ten teams are in, with low seeds playing on Day 1.

Mini timeline

  1. March 10: First-round games (bottom seeds).
  1. March 11–13: Second round, third round, and quarterfinals.
  1. March 14: Semifinals.
  1. March 15: Championship game.

TL;DR: The Big Ten Tournament begins March 10, 2026, and runs March 10–15 at the United Center in Chicago.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.