CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Wartburg College men's and women's basketball teams have both secured spots in the 2026 American Rivers Conference Basketball Tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24 (first round), Thursday, Feb. 26 (semifinals), and Saturday, Feb. 28 (championship). All tournament games will be hosted by the higher seed, with the champion earning the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Wartburg women (19-6 overall, 15-1 A-R-C) claimed the No. 1 seed after securing the A-R-C regular season championship for the fourth consecutive year, highlighted by a 64-55 win over Simpson. The Knights receive a first-round bye in the six-team field and will open postseason play on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. inside Levick Arena against the winner of No. 4 Simpson (13-12 overall, 9-7 A-R-C) and No. 5 Luther (12-13 overall, 8-8 A-R-C).

The Wartburg men (14-11 overall, 6-10 A-R-C) enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed following key late-season victories over Central (70-63) and Simpson (75-65). The Knights will travel to Cedar Rapids to face No. 3 seed Coe (18-7 overall, 10-6 A-R-C) in the first round on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. Wartburg and Coe split its regular-season meetings.
 
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
 
Admission: 
Ticket prices will be $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students without a valid A-R-C ID and seniors (60 and older). Children 5 and under, and all current students with valid A-R-C ID shall be admitted free.

Live Streaming:
The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) will move to a pay-per-view model for the entirety of the basketball tournaments for the 2025-26 season to enhance the championship experience. This move provides improved broadcasting opportunities as the A-R-C moves through its strategic plan with a main goal of improving streaming efforts. 

All basketball tournament games will be available exclusively through the American Rivers Sports Network through Hudl. Fans can access the broadcasts online or through the American Rivers Sports Network app (available on smart TV's, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and mobile devices). 

Subscription Model: 
One Game Pass: $10
Tournament Pass: $20
 
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
First Round - Tuesday, February 24
No. 5 Luther College at No. 4 Simpson College - 7:00 p.m.
No. 6 Central College at No. 3 Buena Vista University - 7:00 p.m.

Semifinals - Thursday, February 26
No. 4/5 at No. 1 Wartburg College - 7:00 p.m.
No. 3/6 at No. 2 Coe College - 7:00 p.m.

Championship - Saturday, February 28
Semifinal #1 Winner vs. Semifinal #2 Winner
 
MEN'S TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
First Round - Tuesday, February 24
No. 5 Buena Vista University at No. 4 University of Dubuque - 7:00 p.m.
No. 6 Wartburg College at No. 3 Coe College - 7:00 p.m.

Semifinals - Thursday, February 26
No. 4/5 at No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan University - 7:00 p.m.
No. 3/6 at No. 2 Loras College - 7:00 p.m.

Championship - Saturday, February 28
Semifinal #1 Winner vs. Semifinal #2 Winner