March Madness isn’t the only tournament streaming this month. The 2026 National Invitation Tournament features 32 teams that missed the Big Dance, taking the floor in college basketball’s oldest postseason tournament. Tipping off today, Tuesday, March 17, with the early rounds held on campus sites and the championship game set for April 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, all games are streaming on the ESPN App.
The NIT is packed with storylines to follow, including seniors who want one more run, mid-majors building momentum, and bubble leftovers hungry to prove they belong in next year’s bracket conversation. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s single-game elimination tournament.
When to Watch the 2026 NIT
- View the full 2026 NIT Schedule HERE
- 2026 NIT Key Dates
- Tuesday, March 17 — First Round
- Wednesday, March 18 — First Round
- Saturday, March 21 — Second Round
- Sunday, March 22 — Second Round
- Tuesday, March 24 — Quarterfinals
- Wednesday, March 25 — Quarterfinals
- Thursday, April 2 — Semifinals (7 & 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN)
- Sunday, April 5 — Championship (8 p.m. ET | ESPN2)
How to Watch the 2026 NIT Without Cable TV
ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+ are airing this year’s NIT games from the first round to the finals. With a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or any other compatible device, a subscription to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV will give you access to the ESPN family of networks. All games will stream live on the ESPN App.
Find out more about each streaming service, below.
Watch the 2026 NIT on ESPN Unlimited
ESPN Unlimited features all of ESPN’s coverage of the 2026 NIT for only $29.99 per month. The app includes coverage of games airing on ESPN+, linear networks, the biggest leagues in sports, 10,000+ live events, WWE PLES, award-winning documentaries, exclusives, and much more.
Watch 2026 NIT Games on DIRECTV
With DIRECTV, there are no contracts, no hidden fees, and each plan includes unlimited cloud DVR storage. New subscribers can take advantage of a 5-day free trial before subscribing, allowing you to live stream the NIT for free online while testing the service..
The base plan is the Entertainment package, which includes 90 live channels, and new subscribers can stream ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 for $84.99 for the first month (normally $89.99 per month). To unlock ESPNEWS and ESPNU, you’ll have to upgrade to the Choice package, which includes over 125 channels for only $59.99 per month for the first month. After the promotional discount, the package goes for $114.99 per month. Both plans also include live games on ESPN+ via ESPN Unlimited.
DIRECTV also offers a MySports package, a skinny bundle of over 20 sports-only channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, and, in select markets, ABC for $69.99 per month. The bundle also includes thousands of hours of live sports, exclusive content, and more on the ESPN app.
Watch the 2026 NIT Live on Fubo
Fubo is noted for being a sports-oriented streaming service, as it carries ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and ESPNU. The Pro plan offers ESPN+, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 in a packed lineup of over 200 live channels and 100+ sporting events for only $73.99 per month.
Relive your favorite moments and rewatch your favorite shows with unlimited hours of Cloud DVR space. Adding ESPNU and ESPNEWS is as simple as both networks are part of the fubo Extra add-on for an additional $7.99 per month. Or you can upgrade to the Elite package of 270+ channels for $83.99 per month, and lock in your first month for $53.99.
With Fubo, new subscribers can get a free trial and save up to $30 on the first month.
Stream the 2026 NIT Live on Sling TV
One of the most affordable ways to watch ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS is with Sling TV.
The Sling Orange package is only $45.99 per month, and it includes a lineup of 32+ channels with ESPN and ESPN2 featured. New subscribers can lock in the first month of Sling Orange & Blue for $29.99. Sling Orange is also available in Pass options: $4.99 for 1 Day, $9.99 for 3 Days, or $14.99 for 7 Days. To add ESPNU and ESPNEWS to the mix, you can add on Sports Extra for an additional $11 per month.
Never miss any of your favorite shows, movies, sports, or more with 50 hours of DVR storage included with each plan.
Watch the 2026 NIT on Hulu + Live TV
Stream over 95 channels on Hulu + Live TV for $89.99 per month. Since Hulu + Live TV is a Disney-owned streaming platform, it is one of the most complete ways to watch ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, and ESPN+. The base plan offers the full lineup, plus unlimited access to the Hulu library, Disney+, and live sports on ESPN+ for no additional charge. Record your favorite shows and sporting events for up to 9 months with unlimited DVR storage.
New subscribers can try Hulu + Live TV for free for 3 days.
Watch the 2026 NIT Live on YouTube TV
YouTube TV packs a robust lineup of ESPN platforms, so fans can stream the NIT live. ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS are all available in a base plan of 100+ channels for only $82.99 per month. The service includes unlimited DVR, and the ability to share 6 accounts per household.
New subscribers can save $75 over the first six months.