UTR Sports is excited to announce that the 2026 NIT Championships will take place May 5–8, 2026, in Rome, Ga. Launched in 2023 as the first-ever NIT event for tennis, this innovative college tennis postseason tournament provides programs with valuable opportunities for high-quality postseason competition.
"UTR Sports is dedicated to elevating college tennis and providing valuable opportunities for players and programs," said Chase Hodges, Senior Vice President of UTR Sports. “The NIT Championship has become an important part of the college tennis landscape by providing Division I teams with the opportunity to finish their season with a national championship trophy.”
Interested in more information about the 2026 NIT Championships? Email college@utrsports.com
The 2026 NIT Championships will feature eight men’s and eight women’s NCAA Division I teams competing for national titles at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College. Last year saw Washington State capture the women’s trophy over UNC Charlotte and Chattanooga win the men’s by defeating Saint Mary’s College.
“You're always wanting to be in events that are big time, and Rome is just a big time tennis center,” said Chattanooga men’s head coach Chuck Merzbacher. “Obviously, when UTR gets behind it, they throw a great tournament. There's 16 teams and you just get that big tournament excitement. It’s something you really want as a coach and a player.”
Teams will be selected based on UTR Sports College Team Rankings, a definitive ranking system showcasing the top-ranked college teams across Division I, Division II, Division III, and NAIA based on a team’s UTR Power 6, win-loss record, and strength of schedule.
The NIT announcement for 2026 comes on the heels of UTR Sports successfully hosting the Tennisfest (also in Rome, Ga.) that included the first-ever NAIA Individual National Championships and the second-annual NAIA Individual National Championships.
As the trusted leader in college tennis, UTR Sports has established itself as the official technology and solution provider with the best and most proven rating and ranking, tournament and event technology, performance data, and analytics. The creator of the UTR Rating—the gold standard in college recruiting—UTR Sports delivers competitive opportunities for college players and equips coaches with tools to grow program revenue.