College basketball’s oldest national championship returns to Kansas City in 2026, marking 80 years in the City of Fountains and 88 years overall. The competition will host 16 teams in a 15-game, single-elimination format. For more information about the championship, visit NAIAhoops.com.
The competition will host 16 teams in a 15-game, single-elimination format. The final 16 participants who make it to the Championship in KC will arrive after fighting through an initial field of 64 teams.
Named one of BBC’s‘s best places to travel this year, it’s the right time for a trip to the Heart of America. Explore everything Kansas City has in store between matchups and showdowns.
Cool and convenient, Kansas City’s premier hotels are within easy reach of Municipal Auditorium and all the hoops action. Start looking now for your accommodations during the championship.
Barbecue may be Kansas City’s signature food, but the dining scene here embodies the city’s many cultural influences, ranging from international cuisines and homestyle cooking to farm-fresh fare.
Ride through the heart of Kansas City’s Downtown along this 5.7-mile route, which runs through Main Street and connects the River Market to the Country Club Plaza with 32 stops along the way, including Municipal Auditorium—only steps away from several Downtown stops.
The Downtown KC area offers approximately 40,000 available parking spaces. Find convenient options near Municipal Auditorium with the Downtown Kansas City parking map.