While March Madness steals most of the spotlight, the 2025 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) deserves some attention too. This 32-team competition features squads that narrowly missed a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The NIT championship game will take place at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Founded in 1938, the NIT was once the premier college basketball tournament, preceding the NCAA Tournament by a year. Though it’s now considered a secondary event, it still offers intense matchups and a shot at postseason glory. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+ will combine to bring fans all of the action from March 18 to April 3 and you can stream on live TV services, including Hulu + Live TV, will carry all 31 games of the tournament.
Find out how to watch the 2025 National Invitation Tournament, below.
When to Watch
- First round: March 18-19
- Second round: March 22-23
- The quarterfinal: March 25-26
- The 2025 NIT semifinals: 7 p.m. (ESPN) and 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) on April 1
- The 2025 NIT championship game: 9 p.m. ET on April 3 on ESPN
View the full 2025 NIT Schedule HERE
How to Watch the 2025 NIT Without Cable TV
Stream all of the action during the 2025 NIT on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other compatible devices with a subscription to DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Select games will stream on ESPN+ throughout the tournament.
Watch 2025 NIT Games Live on DIRECTV STREAM
Watch National Invitation Tournament games with DIRECTV STREAM. The Choice package includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, andover 125 channels for only $114.99 per month. For a limited time, you can get the Choice package for only $89.99 per month for the first three months. There are no contracts, no hidden fees, and a subscription includes unlimited cloud DVR storage.
DIRECTV STREAM 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 ESPN+.
New subscribers can take advantage of a 5-day free trial before subscribing.
Watch 2025 NIT Games Live on Sling TV
One of the most affordable ways to watch live NIT games on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU is with Sling Orange with the Sports Extra add-on. Starting at $56 per month, subscribers can watch live college basketball games and over 40 channels with 50 hours of DVR storage to record the tournament’s biggest moments.
New subscribers can get half of their first month for a limited time.
Watch 2025 NIT Games Live on Fubo
Catch live NIT games and over 100 sporting events with Fubo. The base plan is the Pro plan and it offers ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 in a packed lineup of over 200 live channels and 100+ sporting events for only $84.99 per month. Relive your favorite moments and rewatch your favorite shows with unlimited hours of Cloud DVR space. Adding ESPNU and ESPNEWS is 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 +280 channels for $94.99 per month
With Fubo, new subscribers can get a free trial and save $30 on the first month.
Watch NIT Games Live on ESPN+
ESPN+ will simulstream each game during the 2025 NIT and subscribers can watch for only $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. With ESPN+, subscribers gain access to thousands of hours of live sports, studio shows, award-winning 30 for 30 documentaries, and so much more.
Watch 2025 NIT Games Live on Hulu + Live TV
Catch live NIT games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and over 95 channels are available on Hulu + Live TV starting at $82.99 per month. The service offers unlimited access to the Hulu library, Disney+, and live games on ESPN+ for no additional charge. Record your favorite shows and sporting events for up to 9 months with unlimited DVR storage.
Watch 2025 NIT Games Live on YouTube TV
Stream over 100 channels, including live NIT games on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU for only $82.99 per month. The service includes unlimited DVR and the ability to share 6 accounts per household.
2025 NIT Schedule: Games, Times & Networks
View the 2025 NIT Schedule HERE
Tuesday, March 18 — First Round
- No. 3 St. Bonaventure vs. Kent State, 7 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 4 Georgia Tech vs. Jacksonville State, 7 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 4 Middle Tennessee vs. Chattanooga, 8 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 3 Arkansas State vs. Saint Louis, 9 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. Wichita State, 9 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 2 Santa Clara vs. UC Riverside, 11 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 2 Stanford vs. CSUN, 11 p.m. on ESPN2
Wednesday, March 19 — First Round
- No. 1 Dayton vs. Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 2 George Mason vs. Samford, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 3 Saint Joseph’s vs. UAB, 7 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 2 North Texas vs. Furman, 8 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 3 Bradley vs. North Alabama, 8 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 1 SMU vs. UNI, 9 p.m. on ESPN2
- No. 1 UC Irvine vs. Northern Colorado, 10 p.m. on ESPN+
- No. 1 San Francisco vs. Utah Valley, 11 p.m. on ESPNU
- No. 4 San Jose State vs. Loyola Chicago, 11 p.m. on ESPN2