One of just three D2 CCA sanctioned Tip-Off tournaments nationwide will bring 16 men’s and women’s teams to Hawaiʻi to open the 2026–27 season.
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI — College Tournaments Hawaiʻi LLC will host the Hoops in Hawaiʻi Tip-Off Classic, presented by OUTRIGGER Resorts and Hotels, October 30–November 1, 2026, at Chaminade University and Saint Louis School.
The NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) sanctioned tournament is one of only three selected nationwide to open the 2026–27 basketball season. The tournament marks the first time a CCA Tip-Off tournament will be held in Hawaiʻi.
The three-day tournament will feature 16 NCAA Division II programs—eight men’s and eight women’s teams—representing 10 states and competing in traditional eight-team bracket formats. The nationally competitive field boasts six NCAA Tournament qualifiers from last season and eight from the previous year, highlighted by 2026 Women’s Final Four participant Colorado Mesa University and three-time women’s national champion Lubbock Christian University (2016, 2019, 2021) out of Texas.
Beyond the competition, the Classic continues College Tournaments Hawaiʻi’s commitment to exposing local youth to different levels of collegiate athletics. All Hawaiʻi students ages 18 and under will receive free admission with a valid school ID, providing an opportunity to experience high-level small college basketball firsthand.
The tournament is presented in partnership with OUTRIGGER Resorts and Hotels, Sports Travel Hawaii LLC, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaiian Council, and Zippy’s.
“Bringing a nationally recognized NCAA Division II Tip-Off tournament to Hawaiʻi is a tremendous opportunity, not only for the participating programs but for our local basketball community,” said Julian Nakanishi, Tournament Director. “We’re excited to showcase outstanding collegiate basketball while giving Hawaiʻi’s young athletes a chance to see firsthand the athletic opportunities available at the Division II level.”
Tournament resources
- Participating teams and tournament information
- Men’s and women’s interactive brackets
- Download men’s and women’s brackets (PDF, 2 pages)
- Admission information
View the original press release
Media contact
Julian Nakanishi
College Tournaments Hawaii, LLC — Owner
Hoops in Hawaii Classic — Tournament Director
julian@collegetournamentshawaii.com
(808) 224-9915