CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois men's tennis team has earned an at-large berth in the 2026 NCAA Team Tournament and will serve as a host site for the first two rounds, marking the program's 19th appearance in the competition under 21-year head coach Brad Dancer. The Fighting Illini heard their name called during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Monday..
No. 14 Illinois will take on Yale in the first round on Friday at 6 p.m. CT at Atkins Tennis Center. The winner will take on either host Notre Dame or Vanderbilt – who will face off on Friday at 3 p.m. CT – in the second round on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT.
Ahead of the Orange and Blue's 29th overall appearance in the national event, the Illini hold a 53-27 record in NCAA Tournament play. In 2025, Illinois competed in the TCU Regional, falling to No. 24-ranked Oklahoma in the first round.
Across the team's 28 NCAA Tournament appearances, the Orange and Blue have advanced to the second round 23 times, to the third round 17 times, to the quarterfinals seven times, to the semifinals three times, and to the final twice. Illinois has one national championship in program history, which came during the team's undefeated 2003 season. Illinois will serve as a host site for the 20th time in program history.
The Illini enter the NCAA Tournament with a 22-7 record, including a 10-3 mark in conference duals during the regular season. Illinois was tabbed the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, progressing to the semifinals before coming up short in a 4-3 defeat to No. 2-seeded Ohio State on Friday.
The first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament will be played across 16 host sites, followed by super regionals featuring the 16 advancing teams from May 8-10. The final rounds, consisting of the final eight teams, will be played from May 14-17 at Georgia's Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
Tickets are available for purchase HERE. General admission tickets are $6, while student tickets are $3.
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 1 – First Round
3 p.m. CT: Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt
6 p.m. CT: Illinois vs. Yale
Saturday, May 2 – Second Round
4 p.m. CT: Illinois/Yale winner vs. Notre Dame/Vanderbilt winner
