UTR Sports, the leader in college tennis and creator of the gold-standard UTR Rating, is excited to announce the official field for the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship, to be held May 5-8 in Rome, Georgia.
The national championship will feature top college tennis teams from across the country looking to cap off their seasons with a national title.
“College tennis is facing a pivotal moment as athletic departments reckon with a new funding model for high-level college athletics. But, as it always has, UTR Sports is again stepping up for college tennis programs, giving them a platform to compete and raise awareness about their top-notch programs and student-athletes,” said Chase Hodges, UTR Sports Senior Vice President and 23-time national coach of the year. “These teams have battled all season for this opportunity, and UTR Sports is thrilled to elevate college tennis with the fourth annual NIT Championship.”
UTR Sports has long led the way in supporting collegiate tennis with tens of millions of dollars invested in new technology, data science, analytics, and events, including camps, circuits, clinics, and the UTR Pro Tennis Tour (UTR PTT). These investments fuel the growth and financial sustainability of college tennis programs at a time when they need it most.
The Virginia Tech Hokies from the ACC are the top seed on the men’s side, with Kansas State University of the Big 12 leading the women’s draw. Seedings are based on the April 29 UTR Sports College Team Rankings. The innovative rankings are powered by a trio of data points: a team’s Power 6 (combined UTR Ratings of their top six players); win-loss record; and strength of schedule.
“We are super excited to play in the UTR Sports NIT Championship. The facilities in Rome are very good, and I feel like it will give our guys another great opportunity to finish off this season. Our guys are excited to compete!” said Jim Thompson, head coach of the Virginia Tech men’s tennis team.
Complete draws, live-streaming links, and further team information can be found below and at utrsports.com/nit.
Download hi-res UTR Sports NIT Championship logo and 2026 draw graphics.
2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship Women’s Field
| Seed | Team | Conference | Power 6 |
| 1 | Kansas State University | Big 12 | 58.15 |
| 2 | University of North Texas | American Athletic | 55.86 |
| 3 | Arkansas State University | Sun Belt | 55.21 |
| 4 | University of North Alabama | Atlantic Sun | 54.32 |
| 5 | U.S. Military Academy (Army) | Patriot League | 53.73 |
| 6 | McNeese State University | Southland | 53.70 |
| 7 | College of Charleston | Coastal Athletic Association | 53.59 |
| 8 | Northern Illinois University | Mid-American | 53.25 |
2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship Men’s Field
| Seed | Team | Conference | Power 6 |
| 1 | Virginia Tech | ACC | 75.73 |
| 2 | University of North Alabama | Atlantic Sun | 73.45 |
| 3 | Longwood University | Big South | 72.17 |
| 4 | University of Chattanooga | Southern Conference | 70.87 |
| 5 | North Carolina Central University | Mid-Eastern Athletic | 69.13 |
Schedule of Play
| Date | Time | Match | Court | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, May 5 | 9:00 AM | Women's Quarterfinal | Ct. 11–16 | 1st seed vs. 8th seed | Match 1 |
| Tue, May 5 | NB 11:30 AM | Women's Quarterfinal | Ct. 11–16 | 4th seed vs. 5th seed | Match 4 |
| Tue, May 5 | NB 2:30 PM | Women's Quarterfinal | Ct. 11–16 | 3rd seed vs. 6th seed | Match 3 |
| Tue, May 5 | NB 4:30 PM | Women's Quarterfinal | Ct. 11–16 | 2nd seed vs. 7th seed | Match 2 |
| Wed, May 6 | 9:00 AM | Women’s Semifinal | Ct. 11–16 | Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 4 | Semifinal 1 |
| Wed, May 6 | NB 11:30 AM | Women’s Semifinal | Ct. 11–16 | Winner Match 2 vs Winner Match 3 | Semifinal 2 |
| Wed, May 6 | NB 2:30 PM | Men’s Quarterfinal | Ct. 11–16 | 4th seed vs. 5th seed | Match 1 |
| Thu, May 7 | 9:00 AM | Women's Final | Ct. 11–16 | Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 |
| Thu, May 7 | NB 11:30 AM | Men’s Semifinal | Ct. 11–16 | 2nd seed vs. 3rd seed | Semifinal 2 |
| Thu, May 7 | NB 2:30 PM | Men’s Semifinal | Ct. 11–16 | 1st seed vs. Winner of Match 1 | Semifinal 1 |
| Fri, May 8 | 9:00 AM | Men's Final | Ct. 11–16 | Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 |
About UTR Sports
The mission of UTR Sports is to connect and grow the sports of tennis and pickleball with accurate global ratings, innovative software and events, and a global community centered around level-based play. The UTR Sports Platform is anchored by our renowned ratings technology. UTR Sports provides the technology and solutions relevant and valuable to players, from recreational to professional, coaches, and organizers. UTR Sports is creating opportunities and pathways, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun, affordable, and flexible experience. To learn more, visit www.utrsports.net.