Format & Rules
Three days of pool play and bracket competition under NCAA rules. Every team plays 4-6 games. Every game is live streamed. Every athlete is on tape.
How the Tournament Works
The National Prep Tournament runs three days of pool play and bracket competition, March 5-7, 2027 at FCP Sports in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Every team is guaranteed 4-6 games regardless of pool finish, ensuring every program gets the maximum exposure value from making the trip.
Day one (Friday) opens with pool play. Each division is split into pools of three to four teams. Pool games seed teams into the championship bracket on Saturday and Sunday. Top finishers in each pool advance to the championship side; lower seeds enter a consolation bracket where they continue to play meaningful games against comparable opponents.
Day-by-Day Structure
Friday: Pool Play
Opening tip-off. Each team plays two pool games to establish seeding. Pool placement is determined by registration order, program history, and a seeding committee.
- Two games per team
- Pool standings recorded
- All games live streamed
Saturday: Bracket Round 1
Teams enter the championship or consolation bracket based on Friday's results. Single-elimination format begins. Game MVPs awarded each game.
- One to two games per team
- Single elimination
- MVP recognition each game
Sunday: Championship
Semifinals and finals across both brackets. Championship games air on YouTube with full-broadcast treatment. All-Tournament Team honors announced after the title game.
- Semifinals and finals
- Trophy presentation
- All-Tournament Team named
Game Format
All games run under NCAA rules with two 20-minute halves, four timeouts per game, and a 30-second shot clock. Overtime is 5 minutes if needed.
- Two 20-minute halves
- NCAA rules
- Professional referees
Tournament Rules
Game Rules
The National Prep Tournament uses NCAA men's basketball rules with minor adjustments for tournament play. Games are 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves). Each team is allotted four timeouts per game (three full, one 30-second). The shot clock is 30 seconds per possession. Halftime is 10 minutes; overtime periods are 5 minutes.
Eligibility & Rosters
Maximum roster size is 15 players. All players must appear on the official roster card submitted at check-in. Mid-tournament roster changes are not permitted. High School Division players must be enrolled grades 9-12; Post-Grad Division players must be high school graduates not yet enrolled as full-time college student-athletes.
Conduct & Sportsmanship
Two technical fouls in a single game result in player ejection. Coach ejections (two technicals or one flagrant) may carry over to the next game at the tournament director's discretion. Fighting results in immediate dismissal from the tournament with no refund. Bench decorum is enforced strictly.
Awards & Recognition
- Game MVP every game (announced and posted)
- All-Tournament Team (5-7 players per division)
- Tournament MVP (one per division)
- Championship trophies for both brackets
Tiebreakers & Seeding
Pool play tiebreakers are decided in the following order: head-to-head result, point differential (capped at +/- 15 per game), points allowed, and finally a coin flip. The seeding committee uses pool finish, regular-season record, and historical program strength to seed the championship bracket.
For the full division breakdown, see the divisions page. Ready to compete? Register your team or check the live tournament schedule.
Compete at the Highest Level
Limited spots available for March 5-7, 2027. Reserve your team's place at the National Prep Tournament at FCP Sports in Fort Walton Beach, FL.
Register Your Team — $500