March Basketball in Kansas City

Kansas City’s love affair with college basketball stands out more than ever during the month of March as the city prepares to host postseason play for four big-time collegiate organizations. Each tournament showcases the highest level of talent in their respective levels of play, as well as rabid fan bases ready to support their teams through the final possession. Remember to act fast—tickets sell out quickly.

Kansas City goes all out every March, hosting dozens of basketball games and teams from across the country. Here's how to ensure you don't miss a moment of the action.


2024 MIAA MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 6-10 | Municipal Auditorium

Municipal Auditorium

  • The MIAA is comprised of 14 accredited small colleges and universities in North America.
  • Each competition will host 10 teams in an 9-game, single-elimination format.
  • Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster, campus ticket offices and at the Municipal Box Office. Single-game tickets start as low as $20 per person.

2024 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 7-12 | T-Mobile Center

Big 12 Womens Basketball

  • For the very first time, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship will be played at T-Mobile Center in 2024.
  • The tournament welcomes 14 teams to T-Mobile Center for 13 exciting matchups, as well as other fan activities.
  • 2024 marks the fourth consecutive year in which both the Women's and Men's Big 12 Basketball Championships will take place in KC.
  • All-session tickets are on sale now.

2024 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 12-16 | T-Mobile Center

Big 12 Mens Basketball

  • One of the most exhilarating college basketball conference tournaments in the country, the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is bigger than ever as it welcomes 14 teams to T-Mobile Center for the 15th consecutive year of competition in KC.
  • The tournament festivities feature far more than just basketball, including spirit rallies, the Big 12 Run and much more, all right in the high-energy Power & Light District. Full details on all of the activities can be found here
  • A Kansas City tradition, the competition features 13 games in five days, with the championship match taking place on Saturday, March 16.
  • All-session tickets are on sale now.

86th Annual NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship

March 21-26 | Municipal Auditorium

Two basketball players chasing a ball

  • As college basketball’s oldest national championship, the men’s tournament returns to Kansas City for the 78th time in 2024 (1937-1943; 1945-1975; and 2002-2019; 2021-present).
  • The tournament attracts nearly 40,000 fans over its six-day stretch.
  • The NAIA is comprised of nearly 300 accredited small colleges and universities in North America.
  • The competition will host 16 teams in a 15-game, single-elimination format.
  • All-tournament and single-day tickets are available now.

The College Basketball Experience

The College Basketball Experience

All month long, The College Basketball Experience (CBE) and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame will host extended operational hours during the month of March. For a complete schedule of extended hours, go to collegebasketballexperience.com.

History of College Basketball in Kansas City

Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO

Basketball in Kansas City is more than just another sport—it’s a regional pastime. From James Naismith, innovator and inventor of basketball, to college basketball’s longest running tournament the NAIA’s National College Basketball Tournament, Kansas City remains a fervent basketball town.

See the History