SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State University will host the championship rounds of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) in 2026 and 2027, city and NCAA officials announced Thursday during Mayor Lily Wu’s weekly briefing.
The WBIT is a 32-team postseason tournament launched in 2024, that provides NCAA-funded opportunities for top women’s basketball programs that do not receive bids to the NCAA Tournament. Considered the women’s counterpart to the men’s National Invitation Tournament, the WBIT aims to elevate competitive postseason play across the country.
Games will be held at Koch Arena on March 30 and April 1 in 2026, and March 29 and March 31 in 2027.
Jessie Carmack, NCAA assistant director of women’s basketball, said the WBIT has played a key role in expanding visibility and opportunity for women’s programs nationwide.
“(The WBIT) represents the incredible growth in women’s basketball and the increasing recognition of the exceptional talent and dedication of female athletes,” Carmack said. “This platform allows programs to gain valuable experience on the national stage.”
Josh Howell, vice president of sports development for Visit Wichita, said the event will bring both economic and community benefits to the area.
“We are very excited to welcome, for the first time, this tournament that showcases some of the best in women’s basketball and delivers high-energy matchups that fans won’t want to miss,” Howell said in a statement. “In addition to the positive local economic impact and national TV exposure, this is a great competition for basketball fans in the region to experience in person.”
Koch Arena has a history of hosting major events, including The Basketball Tournament (TBT) each summer and the American Athletic Conference volleyball championship.