March Madness is just around the corner! The 2026 NCAA tournament kicks off with Selection Sunday on March 15. Exciting games begin with the First Four on March 17 and 18, leading up to the thrilling Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6.
Here’s the tournament schedule:
- **Selection Sunday:** 6 p.m. ET on March 15, CBS
- **First Four:** March 17 & 18
- **First Round:** March 19 & 20
- **Second Round:** March 21 & 22
- **Sweet 16:** March 26 & 27
- **Elite Eight:** March 28 & 29
- **Final Four:** April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium
- **Championship Game:** April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium
The tournament will be hosted in various cities:
| Round | Dates | City | Venue | Host(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Four | March 17 & 18 | Dayton, OH | UD Arena | University of Dayton |
| First/Second | March 19 & 21 | Buffalo, NY | KeyBank Center | Canisius College, Niagara University |
| First/Second | March 19 & 21 | Greenville, SC | Bon Secours Wellness Arena | Furman |
| Final Four | April 4 & 6 | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | Horizon League, IU Indianapolis |
As we look forward to March Madness, it’s interesting to note that the NCAA tournament has evolved significantly over the years. In 1985, when the tournament first expanded to 64 teams, the format we know today began to take shape. Since then, more teams and venues have joined, reflecting the growing interest in college basketball.
On social media, fans are already buzzing about potential upsets and Cinderella stories. Recent online polls show that 65% of fans expect at least one lower-seeded team to make a surprising run this year. This kind of unpredictability is part of what makes March Madness so thrilling!
For those who want to keep track as the tournament progresses, you can find interactive brackets and highlights online to follow your favorite teams. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just enjoy the excitement, the next few weeks promise to be full of unforgettable moments.
Stay tuned, and let’s get ready for another thrilling tournament!
