UTR Sports, the leader in college tennis and creator of the gold-standard UTR Rating, has announced the official field for the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship, set for May 5–8 at the Rome Tennis Center in Rome, Georgia—a premier facility that continues to position the city as a national destination for high-level tennis events.
The four-day national championship will bring top collegiate programs from across the country to Rome, with teams competing for a coveted postseason title while drawing players, coaches, families, and fans into the community. Local officials and tourism leaders anticipate the event will provide a meaningful economic boost, with increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses throughout Floyd County.
“College tennis is facing a pivotal moment as athletic departments reckon with a new funding model for high-level college athletics,” said Chase Hodges, UTR Sports Senior Vice President and 23-time national coach of the year. “But, as it always has, UTR Sports is again stepping up for college tennis programs, giving them a platform to compete and raise awareness about their top-notch programs and student-athletes. These teams have battled all season for this opportunity, and UTR Sports is thrilled to elevate college tennis with the fourth annual NIT Championship.”
The Rome Tennis Center, widely regarded as one of the top tennis venues in the Southeast, provides an ideal stage for the البطولة, offering dozens of courts and the capacity to host simultaneous high-level matches. Its continued use for national tournaments reinforces Rome’s growing reputation as a sports tourism hub, with events like the NIT Championship generating both visibility and revenue for the region.
UTR Sports has invested tens of millions of dollars into collegiate tennis through technology, data science, analytics, and events such as camps, circuits, clinics, and the UTR Pro Tennis Tour. Those investments aim to strengthen the long-term sustainability of college tennis programs nationwide.
On the court, the Virginia Tech Hokies enter as the top seed on the men’s side, representing the ACC, while Kansas State University leads the women’s field out of the Big 12. Seedings are based on the April 29 UTR Sports College Team Rankings, which factor in a team’s Power 6 rating, win-loss record, and strength of schedule.
“We are super excited to play in the UTR Sports NIT Championship,” said Virginia Tech head coach Jim Thompson. “The facilities in Rome are very good, and I feel like it will give our guys another great opportunity to finish off this season. Our guys are excited to compete.”
The championship features eight women’s teams and five men’s teams from conferences across the country, with matches scheduled daily beginning May 5 and culminating in the men’s final on May 8.
Beyond the competition, the event underscores the growing impact of sports-driven tourism in Rome. With visitors traveling in from multiple states, the tournament is expected to generate significant local spending while showcasing the city’s ability to host major national sporting events at the Rome Tennis Center.
