March Madness Schedule 2026: Complete Tournament Dates, Times & TV Guide

The March Madness Schedule 2026 below lists Selection Sunday, First Four, First and Second Rounds, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and the National Championship with clear, absolute dates.

For planning, use the TV map and venue links to check network assignments and travel logistics.

The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament returns with three weeks of championship basketball, beginning with Selection Sunday on March 15 and culminating with the national championship game on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Whether you’re planning to attend games in person, organizing viewing parties, or simply marking your calendar, this complete guide covers every round, venue, and broadcast detail you need.

2026 NCAA Tournament Schedule: Key Dates at a Glance

The March Madness tournament spans 23 days from the first tip-off to the final buzzer. Here’s your quick reference for planning time off work, booking travel, or simply clearing your calendar:

Event	Date	Location	Day of Week
Selection Sunday	March 15, 2026	N/A	Sunday
First Four	March 17-18, 2026	Dayton, OH	Tuesday-Wednesday
First Round	March 19-20, 2026	8 venues nationwide	Thursday-Friday
Second Round	March 21-22, 2026	8 venues nationwide	Saturday-Sunday
Sweet Sixteen	March 26-27, 2026	4 regional sites	Thursday-Friday
Elite Eight	March 28-29, 2026	4 regional sites	Saturday-Sunday
Final Four	April 4, 2026	Indianapolis, IN	Saturday
National Championship	April 6, 2026	Indianapolis, IN	Monday

The tournament maintains its traditional three-weekend format, with the first full weekend of games starting Thursday, March 19. The regional semifinals and finals take place the following weekend, leaving a five-day gap before the Final Four to allow teams additional rest and travel time.

Selection Sunday: When the Bracket Is Revealed

Selection Sunday falls on March 15, 2026, when the NCAA Selection Committee unveils the complete 68-team field. The bracket reveal show typically airs in the early afternoon Eastern Time on CBS, with exact timing announced closer to the date.

This year’s selection show will determine which teams earn the coveted number one seeds in each region (South, West, Midwest, and East), which bubble teams secure at-large bids, and which squads must compete in the First Four play-in games in Dayton.

Committee chairman duties rotate annually, and the selection process considers factors including overall record, strength of schedule, conference tournament performance, and key wins against ranked opponents.

After the bracket is set, teams and fans have just 48 hours before the First Four games begin. This compressed timeline creates immediate urgency for travel arrangements and ticket purchases, particularly for teams playing in neutral-site locations far from their campuses.

First Four: The Play-In Games in Dayton

The First Four games take place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18. These four games determine the final spots in the Round of 64, with two matchups between 16-seeds (the lowest seeds) and two games between 11-seeds competing for the right to face top-seeded teams.

UD Arena has hosted these opening games since the tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011. The venue, home to the University of Dayton Flyers, seats approximately 13,000 fans and creates an intimate atmosphere where smaller conference champions and bubble teams battle for their tournament lives.

Game times for the First Four typically follow a doubleheader format each night, with the first game tipping off around 6:40 PM Eastern Time and the second game starting approximately 9:10 PM Eastern Time. All four games air on truTV, with streaming available through the March Madness Live app and participating cable provider websites.

The First Four serves a practical purpose in tournament logistics—it allows the NCAA to include more automatic qualifiers from smaller conferences while maintaining the traditional 64-team bracket structure for the first full weekend of games.

First and Second Rounds: Eight Venues Across America

The opening weekend spreads across eight host cities, each presenting four first-round games on Thursday or Friday, followed by two second-round games on Saturday or Sunday.

This geographic distribution allows more fans to attend games without traveling across the country and creates regional storylines as higher-seeded teams often play relatively close to their campuses.

2026 First and Second Round Locations

City	Venue	Host Institution	Game Days
Buffalo, NY	KeyBank Center	Canisius College, Niagara University	March 19 & 21
Greenville, SC	Bon Secours Wellness Arena	Furman University	March 19 & 21
Oklahoma City, OK	Paycom Center	Big 12 Conference	March 19 & 21
Portland, OR	Moda Center	Oregon State University	March 19 & 21
Tampa, FL	Benchmark International Arena	University of South Florida	March 20 & 22
Philadelphia, PA	Xfinity Mobile Arena	Saint Joseph’s University	March 20 & 22
San Diego, CA	Viejas Arena	San Diego State University	March 20 & 22
St. Louis, MO	Enterprise Center	Missouri Valley Conference	March 20 & 22

Each venue hosts two sessions per game day—an afternoon session typically starting around 12:10 PM or 12:40 PM Eastern Time, and an evening session beginning around 6:50 PM or 7:10 PM Eastern Time. Session tickets allow fans to watch two games consecutively, with a brief intermission between contests for court cleaning and team warmups.

The NCAA assigns game matchups to venues based on several factors, including the proximity of higher-seeded teams to reduce their travel burden, television ratings considerations, and historical attendance patterns. A number one seed from the Big Ten, for example, might play its opening games in Chicago or Buffalo rather than Portland or San Diego.

Games rotate across four networks during the opening rounds: CBS (the primary broadcaster), TBS, TNT, and truTV. This multi-network approach allows all games to air live without commercial-free breaks, though it requires fans to track which matchups appear on which channel. Network assignments become finalized after Selection Sunday, once the committee determines specific game times and broadcasting windows.

Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight: Regional Championship Sites

The second weekend narrows the field from sixteen teams to four as regional championships determine Final Four participants. Four cities host regional semifinals (Sweet Sixteen) and regional finals (Elite Eight) at premium NBA or large college basketball arenas.

2026 Regional Sites and Schedule

Region	City	Venue	Host	Sweet 16 Dates	Elite 8 Dates
South Regional	Houston, TX	Toyota Center	Rice University	March 26 & 28	March 28
West Regional	San Jose, CA	SAP Center	San Jose State	March 26 & 28	March 28
Midwest Regional	Chicago, IL	United Center	Northwestern	March 27 & 29	March 29
East Regional	Washington, D.C.	Capital One Arena	Georgetown	March 27 & 29	March 29

Each regional site hosts two Sweet Sixteen games on either Thursday or Friday, with winners returning to the same venue two days later for the Elite Eight regional final. This format creates natural storylines and allows fans who travel to regional sites to potentially watch their team play twice in one location.

Houston’s Toyota Center, home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets, seats over 18,000 for basketball and brings South Regional games to the energy capital of America. The facility opened in 2003 and features modern amenities, including club seating, numerous concession options, and premium suites for corporate sponsors and high-dollar ticket buyers.

San Jose’s SAP Center hosts the West Regional for the first time since 2019. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the arena serves as home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and sits within walking distance of downtown hotels and restaurants. The facility’s proximity to the San Francisco International Airport makes it convenient for traveling fans from across the western United States.

Chicago’s United Center, the iconic home of the Bulls and Blackhawks, returns as a regional host with the Midwest Regional. The arena’s capacity of over 20,000 creates an electric atmosphere for March Madness games, and Chicago’s status as a major airline hub makes it accessible from virtually anywhere in the country. The United Center last hosted regional games in 2023.

Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena brings the East Regional to the nation’s capital. Home to the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals, the downtown arena sits two blocks from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station, providing easy access via public transportation. Georgetown University serves as the primary host institution, continuing the school’s long association with the tournament.

Regional championship games typically tip off in prime evening slots—around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM Eastern Time—to maximize television viewership. CBS broadcasts the majority of Elite Eight games, with TBS carrying one matchup to accommodate the scheduling of all four games across two nights.

Final Four: Indianapolis Hosts College Basketball’s Biggest Weekend

Indianapolis welcomes the Final Four for the second time in five years, with the national semifinals scheduled for Saturday, April 4, and the championship game on Monday, April 6. Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, transforms into the largest basketball venue in the country for the sport’s premier event.

Lucas Oil Stadium seats over 70,000 fans for Final Four games, though actual attendance varies based on court configuration and floor seating arrangements. The retractable roof facility opened in 2008 and has hosted the Final Four multiple times, including memorable championship games in 2015 and 2021.

Indianapolis earned its reputation as America’s amateur sports capital through decades of hosting major events, including the NFL Combine, the Indianapolis 500, and numerous NCAA championships across multiple sports. The city’s downtown features a concentration of hotels within walking distance of Lucas Oil Stadium, connected via skywalks that provide climate-controlled passage during early April weather.

The national semifinal games on Saturday, April 4, typically begin with the first tip-off around 6:00 PM Eastern Time, followed by the second game approximately 30-40 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest. CBS broadcasts both games, with extended pregame coverage beginning in the afternoon.

The championship game on Monday, April 6, tips off around 9:00 PM Eastern Time, allowing for extensive pregame ceremonies including player introductions, the national anthem, and recognition of past champions. The Monday night finale has become a tradition since the tournament moved away from Saturday championship games in the 1970s, creating a focal point for the sports calendar as the tournament concludes.

How to Watch March Madness 2026: TV Networks and Streaming Options

Broadcast coverage for the 2026 tournament splits across four networks under Turner Sports and CBS’s joint media rights agreement, which extends through 2032. Understanding which games air on which channels helps fans plan viewing schedules and avoid missing key matchups.

Network Breakdown by Round

CBS serves as the primary broadcaster throughout the tournament, carrying the most high-profile games, including many featuring number one seeds, the majority of Elite Eight games, both Final Four national semifinals, and the championship game. CBS reaches over 98% of U.S. television households through local affiliate stations.

TBS, TNT, and truTV share coverage of early-round games, with specific assignments rotating based on television markets and projected ratings. TBS typically receives higher-profile early-round matchups than TNT or truTV, though all three networks provide identical production quality using CBS’s production staff and announcers.

The First Four games air exclusively on truTV on March 17-18. First and second-round games rotate among all four networks from March 19-22. Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games appear primarily on CBS and TBS from March 26-29. The Final Four and championship game air solely on CBS on April 4 and 6.

Streaming and Digital Access

March Madness Live provides streaming access to all tournament games through participating cable and satellite providers. The service requires authentication through a TV provider login but offers several advantages, including the ability to watch multiple games simultaneously through its “Boss Button” feature, instant highlights, and real-time bracket updates.

Fans without cable access can stream games through live TV streaming services, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV, all of which carry CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV in their channel lineups. Many services offer free trial periods that, if timed correctly, can provide tournament coverage without long-term subscription commitments.

CBS games also stream on Paramount+, the network’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform. The service requires a subscription but allows viewers to watch CBS games without cable authentication. International viewers should check local broadcast partners, as rights vary significantly by country and region.

International Viewing and Time Zone Considerations

Basketball fans outside the United States face unique challenges in following the tournament due to time zone differences and varying international broadcast rights. Games scheduled for prime evening hours in Eastern Time often air in the middle of the night or early morning in Europe, Asia, and other regions.

The March Madness Live streaming service operates under geographic restrictions that limit access outside the United States and its territories. International fans typically need to rely on local broadcast partners or sports streaming services that hold rights in their countries.

Time Zone Quick Reference for April 6 Championship Game

Assuming a 9:00 PM Eastern Time tip-off for the championship game:

• London, United Kingdom: 2:00 AM (April 7)
• Paris, France: 3:00 AM (April 7)
• Dubai, UAE: 6:00 AM (April 7)
• Mumbai, India: 6:30 AM (April 7)
• Beijing, China: 9:00 AM (April 7)
• Tokyo, Japan: 10:00 AM (April 7)
• Sydney, Australia: 12:00 PM (April 7)

European sports networks, including Sky Sports (UK) and beIN Sports (France), have carried tournament games in past years, though specific 2026 arrangements remain subject to rights negotiations. Asian markets often receive coverage through ESPN’s international channels or local sports networks with relationships to U.S. broadcasters.

Replay availability varies significantly by region. Some international broadcasters provide next-day replays or condensed game coverage, while others offer limited highlights only. Fans should verify options through local providers well before the tournament begins.

Ticket Information: How to Attend Games in Person

Attending tournament games in person provides an unmatched experience—the atmosphere in the arena, the energy of the crowd, and the unpredictability of March Madness upsets create memories that television cannot fully capture. However, the ticketing process requires careful planning and budget consideration.

First and Second Round Sessions

First and second-round tickets sell as full-session packages, meaning one ticket grants admission to two consecutive games at a specific venue. This session structure maximizes venue capacity and revenue while allowing fans to watch multiple teams compete.

Ticket prices vary significantly based on seat location, venue, and expected matchups. Lower-level seats near center court can exceed $200-300 per session, while upper-level seats typically range from $75-150. Premium seating, including club access and suite options, carries substantially higher price points, often exceeding $500 per session.

The NCAA operates an official ticket lottery system that opens months before Selection Sunday. Fans register through the NCAA’s website, select their preferred venues and sessions, and receive notification if selected. Lottery winners must purchase tickets quickly or risk losing their allocation.

After the bracket announcement, secondary ticket markets, including StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek, offer additional inventory, though prices fluctuate based on matchups. A session featuring a local favorite or popular national program commands premium pricing compared to games involving lower-seeded teams from small conferences.

Regional and Final Four Tickets

Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four tickets become increasingly difficult to obtain as the field narrows. Regional championship games often sell out within hours of going on sale, with many tickets allocated to participating schools, corporate partners, and tournament sponsors.

Final Four tickets represent the ultimate prize for college basketball fans. Lucas Oil Stadium’s configuration for basketball seats over 70,000, but demand far exceeds supply. The NCAA again operates a lottery system for Final Four tickets, with registration typically opening nine to twelve months before the event.

Participating teams receive ticket allocations based on their fan base size and historic attendance records. Schools distribute these tickets through the athletics department, donors, season ticket holders, and student lotteries. Fans affiliated with universities that reach the Final Four gain the best opportunity for face-value tickets, though even these allocations rarely satisfy demand.

Secondary market prices for Final Four tickets can reach extraordinary levels—$1,000 or more for upper-level seats, with premium locations commanding five-figure sums. Championship game tickets carry additional premiums compared to national semifinal sessions.

Verified Ticket Marketplaces and Scam Prevention

The tournament’s popularity creates opportunities for ticket fraud. Fans should purchase only through verified sources, including the NCAA’s official partners, team athletics websites, or established secondary marketplaces with buyer protection guarantees.

Warning signs of ticket scams include prices substantially below market rates, sellers requesting payment through untraceable methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and the inability to provide specific seat locations or digital ticket transfers through official platforms like Ticketmaster.

Legitimate tickets for NCAA tournament games now arrive almost exclusively as mobile tickets delivered through official apps. Paper tickets have largely disappeared except in rare cases, and any seller offering physical tickets should raise immediate red flags about authenticity.

Planning Your Tournament Travel: Venue Cities and Logistics

Attending games requires coordination beyond ticket purchases—flights, hotels, transportation, and dining all demand advance planning, particularly for popular regional sites and the Final Four in Indianapolis.

First and Second Round Host Cities

Buffalo, New York: brings games to Western New York for the first time since 2018. KeyBank Center sits downtown near the city’s waterfront, with numerous hotels within walking distance. Buffalo’s location near Niagara Falls creates sightseeing opportunities for fans arriving early or staying an extra day.

Portland, Oregon: hosts at the Moda Center in the city’s Rose Quarter. The venue offers easy access via MAX light rail from Portland International Airport and downtown hotels. March weather in Portland typically features moderate temperatures but frequent rain—pack accordingly.

Tampa, Florida: provides warm weather and beach access at the Benchmark International Arena. The venue sits north of downtown Tampa, requiring ride-share services or rental cars for most visitors. Tampa’s status as a major spring break destination means hotel availability may be limited during tournament dates.

Chicago, Illinois later hosts regional games, but the city’s O’Hare and Midway airports, extensive hotel inventory, and public transportation system via the CTA make it one of the most accessible tournament destinations.

Indianapolis Final Four Logistics

Indianapolis transforms into basketball central during Final Four weekend, with downtown hotels booking solid months in advance. The city’s compact downtown means most hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues sit within a half-mile of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Indianapolis International Airport sits approximately 10 miles from downtown, with taxi, ride-share, and airport shuttle services providing ground transportation. The city lacks heavy rail transit, so most visitors rely on walking, ride-shares, or the limited downtown bus system.

Hotel prices surge during Final Four weekend, with even budget properties commanding premium rates. Booking twelve months in advance provides the best rates and availability. Some fans opt for hotels in surrounding suburbs like Carmel or Fishers, though these locations require rental cars for stadium access.

The city organizes extensive Final Four festivities, including Bracket Town (a free fan festival), concerts, and alumni events throughout downtown. These activities create a festival atmosphere extending beyond the games themselves, making Indianapolis a destination worth experiencing even for fans without game tickets.

Women’s March Madness: The Parallel Tournament

The Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament runs concurrently with the men’s competition, following a similar format from Selection Sunday through the championship game. The 2026 Women’s Final Four takes place in Phoenix, Arizona at Footprint Center on Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5.

Women’s tournament coverage airs primarily across ESPN’s family of networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ABC for select games. The championship game typically airs on ABC in prime time on Sunday evening.

The women’s bracket includes 68 teams matching the men’s structure, though early-round games often take place at campus sites hosted by higher-seeded teams rather than neutral venues. This format creates home-court advantages for top seeds and reduces travel costs, though it limits attendance compared to neutral-site games in major arenas.

Phoenix’s hosting of the Women’s Final Four marks the city’s return to championship basketball after previously hosting in 2009. Footprint Center, home to the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Mercury, seats approximately 18,000 for basketball and provides a modern facility with excellent sightlines and amenities.

The growth of women’s college basketball has accelerated in recent years, with television ratings and attendance reaching record levels. The 2024 championship game between Iowa and South Carolina attracted over 18 million viewers, demonstrating the sport’s mainstream appeal.

Printable March Madness Schedules and Calendar Imports

Fans looking to print bracket sheets or import game times to digital calendars can utilize several resources once the tournament field is set after Selection Sunday.

The NCAA’s official March Madness website provides downloadable PDF brackets formatted for standard letter-size paper. These brackets include spaces for filling in winners and tracking your predictions throughout the tournament.

Calendar import files in.ICS format allows automatic addition of game times to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and other calendar applications. These imports typically include game times, venue information, and television networks, updating automatically if schedule changes occur.

Several third-party websites also offer enhanced printable brackets with additional features, including scoring systems, team logos, and decorative designs. Verify these sites appear legitimate before downloading files to avoid malware risks.

Bracket Strategy and Office Pool Considerations

Beyond watching games, millions of fans participate in bracket challenges with friends, coworkers, or through online platforms. Understanding basic bracketology principles can improve your predictions, though the tournament’s unpredictability ensures no bracket remains perfect beyond the first weekend.

Historical Upset Patterns

Number 12 seeds defeating number 5 seeds occurs with remarkable frequency—approximately 35-40% of these matchups result in upsets. When filling out brackets, selecting at least one 12-over-5 upset aligns with historical patterns.

Number 1 seeds rarely lose in the first round—it has occurred only once in tournament history (2018, when UMBC defeated Virginia). Picking against a number 1 seed in the Round of 64 almost always represents wasted risk.

Number 2 seeds face vulnerability in the Round of 32 when matched against number 7 or number 10 seeds that survived the first round. These games produce upsets frequently enough that picking against a number 2 seed in the second round offers a reasonable risk-reward balance.

Championship Game Probabilities

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, number 1 seeds have won the championship approximately 45% of the time. Number 2 seeds account for roughly 15% of champions, number 3 seeds about 10%, and lower seeds combine for the remaining 30%.

Picking a number 1 seed to win the championship provides a solid foundational strategy, though diversifying across multiple brackets allows experimentation with riskier selections. Many successful bracket strategies involve conservative early-round picks combined with one or two bold Final Four selections.

The Economics of March Madness: Why This Tournament Matters

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament generates approximately $1 billion in annual revenue for the NCAA, with the majority derived from television rights. CBS and Turner Sports pay over $800 million annually for broadcast rights under their agreement extending through 2032.

This revenue funds Division I championships across all sports, supports NCAA operations, and distributes payments to conferences based on tournament performance. Each game a team wins generates “units” for their conference, with each unit worth approximately $2 million distributed over six years.

The tournament’s economic impact extends beyond television contracts. Host cities experience surges in hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, and local spending as fans converge for games. The Final Four generates an estimated $70-100 million in local economic impact for host cities.

Corporate sponsorships add another revenue layer, with companies including Coca-Cola, Capital One, and AT&T paying premium rates to associate their brands with the tournament. Arena advertising, program sales, and merchandise further supplement tournament revenue.

March Madness Schedule 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing for Three Weeks of Basketball Excellence

The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises the same excitement, drama, and unpredictability that have made March Madness an American cultural institution. From Selection Sunday’s bracket reveals through the championship game in Indianapolis, the tournament creates shared experiences that transcend sports.

Mark your calendars now for Selection Sunday on March 15, block off the first full weekend of games starting Thursday, March 19, and consider requesting time off for the Final Four weekend in Indianapolis. Whether you watch every game or tune in only for the championship, understanding the tournament structure and schedule helps maximize your enjoyment of college basketball’s signature event.

The beauty of the tournament lies in its accessibility—anyone can fill out a bracket, cheer for underdogs, and experience the authentic excitement when a 15-seed threatens a 2-seed in the closing minutes. The schedule accommodates casual fans and die-hards alike, with games spanning afternoon through late evening across three weeks.

As we approach March 2026, the only certainty is uncertainty. Brackets will bust, Cinderella stories will emerge, and by April 6, one team will cut down the nets at Lucas Oil Stadium as national champions. The journey from 68 teams to one champion represents the ultimate single-elimination competition—and now you have the complete schedule to follow every moment.