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March 24, 2026

Media Advisory: University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics hosts 2026 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

  • What: Media are invited to preview the 2026 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, hosted by University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics.
  • When: Wednesday, March 25, 4 p.m.
  • Where: University of Arizona South Recreation Center, 1400 E. Sixth St., north gym.
  • RSVP: Yvette Damon: ymdamon@arizona.edu. Jason Ground: jground@arizona.edu.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Dozens of the nation's top collegiate adaptive athletes will travel to McKale Center at ALKEME Arena next month when University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics hosts the 2026 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, April 1-4.

The tournament will feature two divisions. Twelve men's teams will participate in a modified bracket that gives the top four seeds a bye to the quarterfinals while the other eight teams face off in the first round. The four women's teams will begin in the semi-finals. The U of A earned the honor of serving as host when the men's team won the Wheelchair Basketball National Championship last year in Illinois. It was the team's third consecutive finals appearance and first win.

"It means everything to us to host nationals at home," said Ben Thornton, the men's team captain. "To put on a show in front of the crowd and hopefully get some more new eyes on the sport really means the world to us."

With teams, families, alumni and fans traveling from across the country, the event will showcase elite athletic performance while encouraging the continued growth and visibility of adaptive sports nationwide.

"Hosting the NIWBT marks a historic moment for the University of Arizona and Tucson communities and reinforces the U of A's leadership in inclusive excellence and disability sport," said Peter Hughes, director of University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics. Hughes will lead the news conference at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, at the South Recreation Center in the north gym.

More information about the 2026 National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, including sponsorship opportunities and media credentials, is available online.

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Media Contact:
Yvette Damon
Campus Recreation/Adaptive Athletics
520-870-6557
ymdamon@arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.