Registration Now Open for 2026 Final Four Analytics Challenge, Open to All Undergraduate and Graduate Students from Indiana’s DI, DII, and DIII Institutions

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — Registration is now open for the 2026 Final Four Analytics Challenge, a statewide academic competition that invites undergraduate and graduate students from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions across Indiana to apply data science, machine learning, and real-world analytics to NCAA datasets.

Formerly the Crossroads Classic Analytics Challenge, the 2026 event has expanded to offer teams more opportunities to develop predictive insights, showcase analytical skills, and compete on a national stage aligned with the NCAA Final Four festivities. The competition is hosted by the Lacy School of Business at Butler University and supported by leading partners including the NCAA.

“Co-hosting the Final Four Analytics Challenge gives students a front-row seat to how data drives strategy at a national scale,” said Dean Craig Caldwell of Butler’s Lacy School of Business.

Challenge Format and Opportunities

Student teams — consisting of two to five members — will compete in multiple rounds beginning with model development using NCAA data, followed by forecasting and reporting challenges, and culminating in an in-person championship presentation on April 6, 2026, at the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis just before the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship game.

The competition is structured to help participants:

  • Work with authentic NCAA real-world data
  • Build and refine predictive models
  • Develop business insights and storytelling
  • Engage with mentors, industry professionals, and peers

Awards include cash prizes and recognition in both the undergraduate and graduate divisions, as well as a special prize for outstanding visualization work.

Registration & Key Dates

  • Team registration (two to five students): now open through January 30, 2026
  • Tip-Off Event: February 2, 2026, at the NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis
  • Round 1, Semifinal & Championship: culminating with the final presentations on April 6, 2026

All teams must complete registration by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 30, 2026. Students and faculty interested in forming a team or learning more can find details and register at analyticschallenge.butler.edu.

The Final Four Analytics Challenge provides a unique platform for Indiana’s students to translate classroom learning into practical experience, enhance their resumes, and connect with employers and industry analysts in a competitive, data-driven setting.