Chattanooga Madness 2026: Support Your Favorite Local Business
It’s time to once again crown a champion — which Chattanooga Business will WIN IT ALL?
In honor of the NCAA’s March Madness, this is Hits 96‘s bracket-style showdown where YOU decide which local business takes home the title.
Just like a tournament bracket, local businesses will go head-to-head in weekly match ups. The twist?
Every winner is determined 100% by Hits 96 Listener Votes. It’s Chattanooga showing up for Chattanooga!
How It Works:
16 Local Businesses have been nominated into our official bracket via Facebook. These 16 businesses are The Sweet 16 for 2026.
Starting on Tuesday, March 17th at 2pm we go LIVE with our “Head to Head Matchups“.
Listener’s will then choose the local business out of the two in the matchup by texting the KEYWORD of that business to 423-642-9636. (See the KEYWORDS below.)
Only one vote per phone number will be counted until 6pm. The business with the most tested in votes by 6pm will move on to the next round. Gino D will announce the winner each evening around 6:10pm.
One ultimate champion will be crowned at the end of the tournament on Monday, April 6th.
The winning business… IF THEY SO CHOOSE… wins a special visit from Gino D (complete with a 2-3 minute video for social media), a LIVE radio interview with Gino D all about their business on The Afternoon Show, a Hits 96 Chattanooga Madness 2026 Champion Certificate, and some Hits 96 Swag!
This is your chance to support the restaurants, shops, service providers, and local favorites that make Chattanooga special. Share the bracket, rally your community, and help your favorite business make a deep run.
Whether you’re voting for your go-to lunch spot, your favorite boutique, or the business that always gives back — this is your moment to show them some love.
Plus, as added incentive to vote and learn about these local businesses – each day you vote you’ll be entered to win a PRIZE…
Week One – 3/17 – 3/20: Tennessee Aquarium Tickets
Week Two – 3/23 – 3/27: Florence and The Machine Tickets
Week Three – 3/30 – 4/6: Olivia Dean Tickets
Check out the bracket, shop local, and let the Chattanooga Madness begin!
Congratulations to the following businesses on making it to our 2026 Chattanooga Madness Bracket…Please take a note of their KEYWORD, as that will be how you will vote for them in each round.
TWE Chattanooga – TWE
County Road Haunt – COUNTY
Chattanooga’s Premier Flooring – PREMIER
Hell’s Bar Dam – HELL
Blessing Creek Farms – BLESSING
Barkmore In The Country – BARKMORE
Quick Tees – QUICK
Fortech – FORTECH
The Electric Crocodile – ELECTRIC
Pop Pop Kettlecorn – POP
Storm Strength & Conditioning – STORM
TNT Cookies – TNT
Dread Hollow – DREAD
Overstock Warehouse – OVERSTOCK
For The Record – RECORD
The Milky Cow Co. – MILKY
PLEASE NOTE: Hits 96 reserves the right to establish and define the criteria for what constitutes a “local business” and to determine the eligibility of businesses for participation in this FREE promotional event. In the event of any disputes regarding eligibility, Hits 96’s decision will be final. Additionally, in the case of any ties during the voting process, Hits 96 will serve as the deciding authority to determine which participants advance in the tournament.
