Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness basketball

• San Diego will host first and second-round March Madness games at Viejas Arena.
• Fans planning to travel should begin making arrangements for hotels and flights.
• The following teams will play in San Diego: Arizona, Kansas, St. John's, Villanova, Utah State, Northern Iowa, CA Baptist and Long Island.

Following Selection Sunday, March Madness planning is in full swing as games have been determined across the country. If you're planning to travel to see your team, wherever they will play, the scramble starts now. One of those potential locations is San Diego, which will host six combined games in the first and second round at Viejas Arena.

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. San Diego isn't always a big basketball town, but you're just a little traffic away from Los Angeles if catching some NBA basketball is your goal, or there's plenty to do in town from beaches to nightlife. San Diego 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 San Diego for March Madness:

Where to stay in San Diego, Calif. for March Madness

San Diego will host some of the first and second round games during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22.

Where to stay near Viejas Arena in SD

Viejas Arena in San Diego will host first and second round games in the NCAA tournament, stay nearby: Find a hotel in San Diego

Which teams will play in the first round in San Diego?

The following teams will compete in San Diego:

• No. 1 Arizona
• No. 4 Kansas
• No. 5 St. John's
• No. 8 Villanova
• No. 9 Utah State
• No. 12 Northern Iowa
• No. 13 CA Baptist
• No. 16 Long Island

San Diego March Madness schedule

• March 20 - No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 Long Island at 1:45 p.m. ET - Shop tickets
• March 20 - No. 8 Villanova vs. No. 9 Utah State at 4:10 p.m. ET - Shop tickets
• March 20 - No. 5 St. John's vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa at 7:10 p.m. ET - Shop tickets
• March 20 - No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 CA Baptist at 9:45 p.m. ET - Shop tickets

San Diego March Madness tickets

• All sessions pass (March 20-22) - Starting at $530
• Session 1 (Arizona vs. Long Island, Villanova vs. Utah State) - Starting at $213
• Session 2 (St. John's vs. Northern Iowa, Kansas vs. CA Baptist) - Starting at $192
• Session 3 (TBD) - Starting at $322

What is the closest airport to San Diego?

San Diego International Airport is the closest airport to San Diego. It's about 10 miles north of downtown, usually between 20-25 minutes in the car.

What is there to do in San Diego?

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

• Walk through or grab a meal in Old Town San Diego
• Enjoy California's sunshine at Coronado Beach or La Jolla Cove
• Visit San Diego's massive Zoo & Safari Park
• Grab a drink in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter with 16 blocks of downtown dining and nightlife

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