Gov. Braun celebrates tip-off of big college basketball season for Indiana

With the NCAA men’s basketball regular season set to begin today, Monday, Nov. 3, Governor Mike Braun is celebrating Indiana’s central role in American basketball and the economic impact for Hoosiers.
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will host the men’s Final Four and National Championship game in April.
“In 49 states, it’s just basketball — but this is Indiana. Hoosiers across the state are excited to tip off the 2025-2026 NCAA basketball season, and we’re especially proud that this year’s men’s NCAA season will culminate in the Final Four and National Championship game right here in the basketball capital of the world.” — Governor Mike Braun

Indiana will also be host to the Division II and Division III Men’s Basketball Championships, as well as the Men’s Basketball National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Indiana is the home of the NCAA headquarters, which employs 500 people in its national office in Indianapolis and generates substantial economic activity for the state of Indiana.
$400 million of economic impact is anticipated from the following NCAA events to be held in Indiana in 2026:
 

• Division II Men's Swimming & Diving Championships – March 10-14, 2026
• 2026 Division III Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals and Semifinals – March 19 and 21, 2026
• 2026 Division III Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships – March 18-21, 2026
• 2026 Men’s Final Four – April 4 and 6, 2026
• 2026 Division II Men’s Basketball Semifinals – April 5, 2026
• 2026 Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship – April 5, 2026
• 2026 Division III Men’s Basketball National Championship – April 5, 2026
• 2026 Men’s Basketball National Invitational Tournament (NIT) – April 2-5, 2026
• Notre Dame will also be hosting the men’s and women’s National Collegiate Fencing Championships.