The crowning weekend in Kentucky high school basketball has arrived, with 16 teams from around the state gathered at Rupp Arena to determine a state champion.
The Sweet 16 draw was not kind to the top teams in the final Kentucky Media Elite 16 poll. No. 1 Madison Central didn’t even make the state tournament, failing to advance out of the 11th Region bracket, and the next two schools in the poll will face off against each other in Round 1 as No. 2 Covington Catholic meets No. 3 St. Xavier.
Whoever emerges from that stellar opener has to be considered a favorite to lift the trophy along with Warren Central and George Rogers Clark (which won the girls’ state title last weekend). And don’t count out reigning champion Great Crossing, which is back to defend its title.
It’s sure to be an intense few days of wall-to-wall basketball in Lexington. Here’s everything you need to know to watch all the action.
Where to watch Kentucky boys’ basketball Sweet 16
The Kentucky boys basketball Sweet 16 will not be broadcast on traditional television. Instead, fans can stream the action live on NFHS Network.
The NFHS Network offers two basic plans: an Annual Pass ($6.67 per month) or a Monthly Pass ($13.99 per month). These plans give subscribers the ability to watch live sporting events and create clips of their favorite moments from games.
Kentucky boys’ basketball Sweet 16 schedule 2026
Wednesday, March 18: Round 1
| Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| Covington Catholic vs. St. Xavier | 11 a.m. | NFHS Network |
| Warren Central vs. North Laurel | 1:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| Grayson County vs. Taylor County | 6 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| Danville Christian vs. Great Crossing | 8:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
Thursday, March 19: Round 1
| Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| Butler vs. Hazard | 11 a.m. | NFHS Network |
| Boyd County vs. Marshall County | 1:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| North Oldham vs. Lyon County | 6 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| George Rogers Clark vs. Johnson Central | 8:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
Friday, March 20: Quarterfinals
| Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| Warren Central/North Laurel vs. CovCath/St. X | 11 a.m. | NFHS Network |
| Grayson Co./Taylor Co. vs. Danville Chr./Great Crossing | 1:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| Butler/Hazard vs. North Oldham/Lyon Co. | 6 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| George Rogers Clark/Johnson Cent. vs. Boyd Co./Marshall Co. | 8:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
Saturday, March 21: Semifinals and Championship
| Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
| Semifinal 1 | 11 a.m. | NFHS Network |
| Semifinal 2 | 1:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |
| Final | 7:30 p.m. | NFHS Network |