There are just days left until the NCAA Tournament kicks off in South Philadelphia. This is the first time the city has hosted March Madness since 2022.
Preparations began Monday as crews began the complex, hours-long process of transforming the arena floor. Before the NCAA’s custom-built arena could be installed, the 76ers’ arena had to be demolished.
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Once the old floor was occupied, workers brought in 16 pallets containing 250 individual components, which were placed and assembled to form the playing surface.
Friday’s game in Philadelphia includes the following:
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No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State Friday, March 20, 1:50 p.m.
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No. 6 Tennessee takes on the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20 at 4:25 p.m.
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No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF Friday, March 20, 7:25 p.m.
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No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman Friday, March 20, 10 p.m.
Learn More | March Madness: Penn, Villanova, Lehigh, Princeton earn NCAA tournament berths
Let the madness begin! Four Delaware Valley schools will field teams in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
For players, the moment they step onto the hardwood is something few take for granted.
Former Villanova basketball star Corey Fisher said playing in the NCAA Tournament is an honor he will always cherish.
“Once you see that blue patch — the NCAA patch on the floor, on the jersey — you never take it for granted,” Fisher said. “You have four years to play in college; some people don’t even go. So if you can go once, it’s an honor to go and have the privilege to play on the biggest stage in the world.”
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Fisher played in the tournament all four years of his career at Villanova. He said the experience was even more special when the first-round game took place in South Philadelphia during his sophomore season.
“Honestly, it’s another home game – the atmosphere, the crowd,” he said. “It’s even more special to me because more of my family comes to Philadelphia to see me.”
