Waxahachie, TX | March 5, 2026 — Tournament basketball is coming to the Sheaffer Center.

Nelson University will serve as host for the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship 1st & 2nd Rounds, welcoming top programs from across the country to the Sheaffer Center on March 13–14, 2026. The event marks another milestone for Nelson Athletics as the Lions prepare to showcase both elite competition and a championship atmosphere on campus. 

The Opening Round will feature four teams battling for a spot in the NAIA National Championship tournament field, with the winner advancing to the national stage after two days of high-stakes postseason basketball.

The Lions enter the national tournament with momentum after capturing the Sooner Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship for the second consecutive year, entering NAIA Tournament play with an impressive 25–5 overall record. 

The action begins Friday evening when Benedictine University Mesa faces Southwestern College (KS) at 5:30 PM, followed by host Nelson University taking on Arkansas Baptist College at 7:30 PM inside the Sheaffer Center. The two winners will return to the floor Saturday at 5:00 PM with a trip to the National Championship Sweet 16 on the line. 

Fans will be able to follow the action live through the Nelson University Sports Network and Urban Edge Network, while tickets will be available digitally through Vivenu, allowing fans quick and convenient entry into the arena. 

With championship stakes, national exposure, and the energy of the Sheaffer Center behind them, Nelson University is ready to welcome the NAIA basketball community to Waxahachie.

Two nights. Four teams. One ticket to the national stage.

Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.