We're just days away from NCAA Tournament action tipping off in South Philadelphia. It's the city's first time hosting March Madness since 2022.

Preparations got underway on Monday as crews began the intricate, hours-long process of transforming the arena floor. The Sixers court first had to be removed before the NCAA's custom court could be installed.

After the old floor was taken up, workers brought in 16 pallets carrying 250 individual pieces that were laid out and assembled to form the tournament court.

The games being played on Friday in Philadelphia include the following:

• No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State on Friday, March 20, at 1:50 p.m.

• No. 6 Tennessee vs. the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m.

• No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF on Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m.

• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman on Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m.

READ MORE | March Madness: Penn, Villanova, Lehigh, Princeton earn spots in NCAA tournament

Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.

For players, stepping onto that hardwood is a moment few take for granted.

Former Villanova basketball standout Corey Fisher says playing in the NCAA Tournament is an honor he'll always cherish.

"Once you see that blue patch - that NCAA patch on the floor, on your jersey - you can never take it for granted," Fisher said. "You get four years to play in college; some guys don't even go. So if you can go one time, it's an honor to go and be blessed to be playing on the biggest stage in the world."

Fisher made the tournament all four years during his Villanova career. He says the experience was even more special when the opening rounds were held in South Philadelphia during his sophomore season.

"It was another home game, to be honest - with the atmosphere, the crowd," he said. "It was even more special for me because more of my family got to come see me in Philadelphia."

Philadelphia is gearing up for a packed sports weekend as the first two rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament tip off in South Philadelphia.

With a freshly installed court and all games already sold out, the city is preparing for a surge of fans and national attention.

More than 60,000 fans are expected to pass through the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday and Saturday, including an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 visiting fans
representing the eight college teams competing.

The games being played on Friday in Philadelphia include the following:

• No. 3 Virginia vs. No. 14 Wright State on Friday, March 20, at 1:50 p.m.

• No. 6 Tennessee vs. the winner of No. 11 Miami (Ohio) and No. 11 SMU on Friday, March 20, at 4:25 p.m.

• No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 UCF on Friday, March 20 at 7:25 p.m.

• No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Furman on Friday, March 20, at 10 p.m.

This year marks the 29th time Philadelphia has hosted NCAA tournament games, dating back to 1939 when the Palestra held the city's first event.

READ MORE | March Madness: Penn, Villanova, Lehigh, Princeton earn spots in NCAA tournament

Let the madness begin! Four schools in the Delaware Valley will have teams competing in the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Larry Needle, executive director of PHL Sports, said Philadelphia leaned heavily on its experience with major events when pitching to host again.

"This is the first of just an incredible slate of events for Philadelphia this year, and I'd venture to say that maybe no other city has hosted a four-month stretch like this one," Needle said. "When you look at March Madness, PGA championships, World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game, it's something we should all be incredibly proud of."

This tournament weekend serves as the unofficial tipoff to a major run of high-profile sporting events headed to the city over the next four months, positioning Philadelphia as a central hub for both national and international competition.