FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 22, 2025) – Tip-off times and television designations for the 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships, presented by Idaho Central Credit Union, have officially been announced as Starch Madness looks to take over downtown Boise once again this March.
Apply NOW for Media Credentials to 2026 Starch Madness
The 2026 Big Sky Men's and Women's Basketball Championships, presented by Idaho Central Credit Union, take place for the eighth consecutive year at Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise, with 18 games scheduled over five days from March 7-11. All 10 Big Sky schools will bring both their men’s and women's basketball programs to the City of Trees to compete for an automatic bid to the NCAA’s March Madness.
The first 14 games of the tournament will air on ESPN+ and Scripps Sports stations throughout the Big Sky Conference footprint, with the final four games of the tournament being televised on ESPN linear networks. The women's championship game and first men's semifinal contest will air on ESPNU, while the second men's semifinal game and the men's championship will be broadcast on ESPN2.
2026 Men's Bracket |
2026 Women's Bracket
Fans can purchase all-tournament, all-men's session and all-women's session ticket packages now for courtside, reserved, and general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased via
IdahoCentralArena.com or by visiting
StarchMadness.com.
Fans should act now and take advantage of nearly $200 in savings by purchasing all-tournament reserved seating versus buying all 10 single-sessions separately for the same seating.
Single-session tickets will be available to purchase in early February.
Tip-off times for Starch Madness in 2026 will mirror that of years past, with all game times for the tournament listed below.
2026 Big Sky Women's Basketball Championship
March 7-11 | Boise, Idaho | Idaho Central Arena
First Round (WBB Session 1) – Saturday, March 7
Game 1: #9 Seed vs. #10 Seed – 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 2: #7 Seed vs. #8 Seed – 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Second Round (WBB Session 2) – Sunday, March 8
Game 3: #1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner – 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 4: #2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner – 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Third Round (WBB Session 3) – Monday, March 9
Game 5: #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed – 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 6: #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed – 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Semifinals (WBB Session 4) – Tuesday, March 10
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 12:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner – 2:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Championship (WBB Session 5) – Wednesday, March 11
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner – 3:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
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2026 Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship
March 7-11 | Boise, Idaho | Idaho Central Arena
First Round (MBB Session 1) – Saturday, March 7
Game 1: #9 Seed vs. #10 Seed – 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 2: #7 Seed vs. #8 Seed – 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Second Round (MBB Session 2) – Sunday, March 8
Game 3: #1 Seed vs. Game 1 Winner – 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 4: #2 Seed vs. Game 2 Winner – 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Third Round (MBB Session 3) – Monday, March 9
Game 5: #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed – 5:30 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Game 6: #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed – 8:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+)
Semifinals (MBB Session 4) – Tuesday, March 10
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPNU)
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner – 9:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
Championship (MBB Session 5) – Wednesday, March 11
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner – 9:30 p.m. MT (ESPN2)
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