The Michigan Wolverines head into the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament with the No. 1 seed after posting a 19–1 conference record. But the rest of the Big Ten has been fiercely competitive this season, and there’s no knowing how the tournament will unfold.
Round One of the postseason competition tips off on Peacock this Tuesday, March 10. After those initial three games, you’ll need Big Ten Network and CBS to watch all remaining matchups. That’s when things really heat up as teams vie for an automatic bid to the 2026 March Madness tournament.
Keep reading to explore the full tournament TV schedule and discover the best TV plans for following along.
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What channel is the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament on?
The Big Ten men’s basketball tournament airs across multiple networks, with first-round games streaming exclusively on Peacock. Big Ten Network will carry the second round and quarterfinals, while CBS will air the semifinals and championship game.
Pro tip: You can stream every Big Ten Network game through the FOX Sports app, while CBS matchups will stream live on Paramount+ Premium and CBSSports.com.
2026 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament schedule
The 2026 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament begins on Tuesday, March 10. Teams will compete in five rounds of action leading up to the conference title game on Sunday, March 15.
Check out the tournament TV schedule below for a closer look at each matchup and how to tune in.
| Game | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | |||
| No. 16 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 17 Maryland Terrapins | Tuesday, March 10 | 5:00 p.m. | Peacock |
| No. 15 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. No. 18 Northwestern Wildcats | Tuesday, March 10 | ~6:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| Second Round | |||
| No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. No. 17 Maryland Terrapins | Wednesday, March 11 | Noon | Peacock |
| No. 12 Washington Huskies vs. No. 13 USC Trojans | Wednesday, March 11 | ~1:30 p.m. | Peacock |
| No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 18 Northwestern Wildcats | Wednesday, March 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. No. 14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Wednesday, March 11 | ~8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Third Round | |||
| No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes | Thursday, March 12 | Noon | Big Ten Network |
| No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 12 Washington Huskies | Thursday, March 12 | ~1:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 15 Northwestern Wildcats | Thursday, March 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| No. 6 UCLA Bruins vs. No. 14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Thursday, March 12 | ~8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Quarterfinals | |||
| No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes | Friday, March 13 | Noon | Big Ten Network |
| No. 4 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers | Friday, March 13 | ~1:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers | Friday, March 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| No. 3 Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 6 UCLA Bruins | Friday, March 13 | ~8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Semifinals | |||
| No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers | Saturday, March 14 | 1:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 6 UCLA Bruins | Saturday, March 14 | ~2:30 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| Championship | |||
| No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 7 Purdue Boilermakers | Sunday, March 15 | 3:30 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
Data effective as of post date.
Best Big Ten men’s basketball tournament TV plans
Choosing the right TV plan for the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament boils down to which games you can’t miss. Since no single service covers all 14 matchups, you’ll need Peacock and a live TV subscription to catch the entire tournament.
Here are the two services I relied on during the women’s Big Ten tournament and why they’ll work just as well for the men’s competition.
- Peacock (4 games): A Peacock Premium subscription (starting at $10.99/mo.) is essential for watching the tournament’s first round. If you support a low-seeded team, you’ll want Peacock to see if your school can survive the tough opening-round gauntlet. College students can score the Peacock Student Discount at $5.99/mo. for 12 months.
- Hulu + Live TV (13 games): Although its plans start at $88.99 per month, Hulu + Live TV delivers a robust channel lineup that includes Big Ten Network, CBS, and all other March Madness channels. Such comprehensive coverage makes it our top choice for catching every pivotal college basketball game during this month’s Big Ten tournament and beyond.
Data effective as of post date. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Big Ten men’s basketball tournament FAQ
How do I watch the Big Ten men’s basketball championship?
The 2026 Big Ten men’s basketball championship will air on CBS and Paramount+ Premium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15. You’ll need the Paramount+ Premium plan if you go that streaming route.
How can I watch the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament for free?
You can watch portions of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament for free with live TV trials from DIRECTV and Fubo. While Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, you can watch CBS for free with a digital antenna or a Paramount+ Premium free trial.
Where is the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament in 2026?
The 2026 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament will take place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois—home to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.
How many teams are in are in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament?
The Big Ten men's basketball tournament will feature 18 teams vying for the tournament championship.
Why you should trust us
Our sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched this year’s Big Ten men’s basketball tournament TV schedule, confirming channel details with each broadcaster. He then assessed the top TV providers for tuning in by analyzing cost, game availability, and user experience. Before finalizing our viewing recommendations, he cross-referenced his findings with CableTV.com’s existing college basketball coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
