Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness basketball

• Oklahoma City will host first and second-round games of the 2026 March Madness tournament at Paycom Center.
• Eight teams, including Houston and Nebraska, are scheduled to play in the first-round matchups in OKC.
• Tickets for the games are available now, with options for single sessions or all sessions.

We're just days away from the reveal of the 2026 March Madness bracket and the mad scramble to see your favorite team in the NCAA Tournament. A handful of games in the first and second round will be hosted by Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Now is the time to get your travel plans squared away, including where to stay, how to get there and what to do while you're in town. Oklahoma City is used to basketball fans, as the home to the OKC Thunder and the city offers plenty of hotels, restaurants and activities to help make the most of your trip.

Here's everything you need to know about traveling to Oklahoma City, Okla. for March Madness:

Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness

Oklahoma City, Okla will host some of the first and second round games at Paycom Center. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22.

Where to stay near Paycom Center in OKC

Paycom Center will host first and second round games in the NCAA tournament, stay nearby: Find a hotel near Paycom Center

Which teams will play in the first round in Oklahoma City?

Six games in total will be played at Paycom Center, with four first-round games scheduled for Friday and two Round of 32 matchups this weekend. Here's a look at the teams that will face off in OKC:

• Troy
• Nebraska
• McNeese
• Vanderbilt
• Texas A&M
• St. Mary's
• Idaho
• Houston

2026 NCAA Tournament First Round schedule in Oklahoma City

• Thursday, March 19 - No. 13 Troy vs. No. 4 Nebraska at 12:40 p.m. ET
• Thursday, March 19 - No. 12 McNeese vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. ET
• Thursday, March 19 - No. 10 Texas A&M vs. No. 7 St. Mary's at 7:35 p.m. ET
• Thursday, March 19 - No. 15 Idaho vs. No. 2 Houston at 10:10 p.m. ET

How to buy NCAA tournament First Round tickets in OKC

Tickets are available now to watch the First Round live from Paycom Center. There's various options to choose from, including the following:

• No. 13 Troy vs. No. 4 Nebraska at 12:40 p.m. ET - Get tickets now
• No. 12 McNeese vs. No. 5 Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. ET - Get tickets now
• No. 10 Texas A&M vs. No. 7 St. Mary's at 7:35 p.m. ET - Get tickets now
• No. 15 Idaho vs. No. 2 Houston at 10:10 p.m. ET - Get tickets now
• All sessions (March 19 & 21) - Tickets starting at $726
• Session 1 (Nebraska vs. Troy, Vanderbilt vs. McNeese) - Tickets starting at $127
• Session 2 (St. Mary's vs. Texas A&M, Houston vs. Idaho) - Tickets starting at $75
• Session 3 (TBD) - Tickets starting at $207

What is the closest airport to Oklahoma City, Okla.?

Will Rogers International Airport is the closest airport to Oklahoma City, Okla. It's about six miles southwest of downtown OKC.

What is there to do in Oklahoma City?

Aside from hosting a few March Madness games, you can add a couple key things to your OKC trip:

• Explore the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• Walk through Scissortail Park or stop by OKC Zoo
• Ride the Bricktown Water Taxi and enjoy the sights of Bricktown District

When is March Madness 2026?

The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday.. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men's tournament

• March 17-18: First Four
• March 19-20: First round
• March 21-22: Second round
• March 26-27: Sweet 16
• March 28-29: Elite 8
• April 4-5: Final Four
• April 6: National Championship