Lincoln, Nebr. Ranks 217th in the U.S. for College Basketball in 2026

Lincoln, Nebr. ranks 217th in the U.S. for college basketball in 2026, according to a new WalletHub study. To find 2026's top spots for NCAA hoops, WalletHub crunched the numbers on more than 290 U.S. cities using nine key metrics, ranging from the number of teams per city and the winning percentage of each to stadium capacity and social-media engagement.

College basketball is a big deal in the U.S., and depending on where you live, it may have even more appeal than the professional level. Each city has its own unique basketball history and charm, but only one can take home the crown at the end of March Madness. 

“March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for sports fans, with 67 games packed into 21 days,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “You can enjoy the action from anywhere with a TV or an internet connection, but a good environment enhances the experience. The best cities for college basketball have high-performing teams, affordable and accessible games, and strong fan engagement.”

In-Depth Look at Lincoln city, Nebraska

Overall, Lincoln city, Nebraska ranks 217th out of 296 U.S. cities for the quality of its college basketball scene. Lincoln city, Nebraska shines the most when it comes to the number of NCAA national championships the city has won between 1938–39 and 2024–25, where it ranks 36th, and the number of NCAA teams in the city, where it ranks 45th. Those factors give college basketball fans a reason to root for their hometown.

On the other hand, Lincoln city, Nebraska doesn't do as well when it comes to number of NCAA stadium seats per person in the city, where it ranks 197th, or the number of NCAA conference wins from 1938-39 to 2024-25, where it ranks 228th. 

Best College Basketball Cities Across the Country 

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.