INDIANAPOLIS (September 4, 2025) – The Horizon League Council approved innovative #HLMBB and #HLWBB brackets expanding student-athlete opportunities in Indy for the 2026 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships.

Why it Matters: The updated championship format brings two additional teams – one men's and one women's – to Indianapolis in 2026, creating a major experience for ten total teams when #MarchStartsHere at the Corteva Coliseum.

Reseeding throughout the bracket and Second Round byes for the top remaining teams in Indy rewards regular season success and aims to protect our top seeds, best positioning the League during March Madness.

Dig Deeper: Click the links for 2026 #HLMBB and #HLWBB brackets.

• The championships will open with play-in games featuring the No. 10 and No. 11 seeds on Monday, March 2 at the site of the No. 10 seeds.
• The First Round on Wednesday, March 4 will feature five men's and five women's teams securing their spots in Indy with games on best-seeded campus sites.
• The action shifts to Corteva Coliseum on Sunday, March 8 with Second Round contests featuring the second-worst seed First Round winners and worst seed First Round winners.
• The three best-seeded men's and women's teams remaining after the first round will advance to semifinal action on Monday, March 9 at the Corteva Coliseum.
• The 2026 Barbasol #HLMBB and #HLWBB championships will culminate on Tuesday, March 10 with teams punching their tickets to the NCAA Tournament.
• The League office recently announced Barbasol would return as the title sponsor of the championships for the fourth straight year.
• Visit championship central for additional information.
• The Horizon League Council is comprised of athletics directors from all 11 institutions along with our SWA Chair, FAR Chair and a SAAC representative.
• Groups, youth sports organizations and basketball fans interested in attending games or learning more about getting involved in Indianapolis are encouraged to email Kelley Ford at kford@horizonleague.org.
• The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 member institutions headquartered in Indianapolis. The League and our member schools develop nearly 4,000 student-athletes for life. Through unique opportunities in major metropolitan cities, their athletic, academic and personal aspirations can be achieved. Because what they learn today will inspire who they become tomorrow. For more information, visit HorizonLeague.com.