IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced its men’s basketball tip times and television designations for the 2025-26 season.
 
The 2025-26 season will be the American’s sixth under its media rights extension with ESPN, which will allow for a minimum of 56 conference-controlled games to be televised on either ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. A minimum of 23 of those contests will be on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
 
In addition, CBS will broadcast one conference-controlled contest with Memphis hosting Baylor on December 6, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern/3:30 p.m. Central.
 
Conference play begins on Tuesday, December 30 with Charlotte hosting Temple at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. Five games follow on New Year’s Eve, including Tulane at East Carolina (noon ET on ESPNU), UTSA at Florida Atlantic (1 p.m. ET on ESPN+), Rice at Tulsa (2 p.m. ET on ESPNU), North Texas at Memphis (4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 or ESPNU) and Wichita State at UAB (4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 or ESPNU).
 
The remaining conference-controlled games will stream on ESPN+ on the recently enhanced ESPN App, the preeminent digital sports destination. ESPN+ is available via ESPN’s two direct-to-consumer plans or certain Pay TV providers. Sign up or authenticate at stream.espn.com.
 
All games that are televised on an ESPN network or service are available on the ESPN App, either through ESPN DTC or authentication via Pay TV credentials.
 
CBS Sports’ broadcast coverage will be available to stream live on Paramount+, with additional coverage on CBS Sports’ digital platforms, including CBSSports.com and CBS Sports HQ.
 
Beginning this season, the 2026 American Men’s Basketball Championship will feature the top 10 teams in a new five-day bracket format. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds will advance directly to the semifinals, while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds will maintain byes to the quarterfinals. The No. 5 and No. 6 seeds will receive byes to the second round. The 2026 Championship will run Wednesday through Sunday, March 11-15 at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
Memphis represented the American in the NCAA Championship for a third time in four seasons, while UAB, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Wichita State competed in the NIT, with North Texas advancing to the semifinals. Tulane competed in the inaugural College Basketball Crown.