March Madness – Mar. 1, 2027

March Madness
Submit your updates or photos
Categories:
Tags:
FunSports
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every March
Holiday emoji:
🏀

March Madness ignites the nation throughout March, captivating millions with its thrilling NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. Dive into the excitement of bracketology, cheer for your favorite teams, and witness unforgettable upsets. Get ready to join the frenzy and celebrate the spirit of college basketball.

Want to sponsor March Madness? Learn how

Expected March Madness Deals

As March Madness sweeps the nation throughout March, fans can anticipate a flurry of promotions from major brands and local establishments. Sports bars like Buffalo Wild Wings often roll out special game-day menus and drink deals, creating the ultimate viewing experience. Pizza chains such as Papa John’s typically offer discounts on large orders, perfect for watch parties. Streaming services like ESPN+ may feature bundles or trial offers for expanded coverage. Apparel retailers such as Fanatics and Nike will likely run sales on team gear and fan merchandise. For those interested in fantasy sports, platforms like DraftKings will host various contests and promotions. Even beverage brands like Coca-Cola, a long-standing NCAA partner, often engage with themed campaigns. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March approaches.

Platform Guide for March Madness

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MarchMadness. Share your bracket predictions, game reactions, and favorite team’s highlights.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #MarchMadness. Follow live game updates, join fan discussions, and react to buzzer-beaters in real-time.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MarchMadness. Post your game-day snacks, team-themed outfits, and watch party setups.

Social Media Tips for March Madness

Individuals

Host a bracket challenge with friends, family, or coworkers, even if you're not a die-hard basketball fan. Organize watch parties for key games, complete with themed snacks and team colors.

Creators

Produce reaction videos to shocking upsets, create 'Cinderella story' explainers, or offer daily recaps of tournament highlights. Share your personal bracket picks and analysis.

Brands

Run a 'perfect bracket' contest with a grand prize, sponsor local watch parties, or partner with sports influencers for game-day content. Offer special discounts tied to game outcomes or team performances.

Top Brands for March Madness

  1. NCAA

    The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), founded in 1906, is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics. It organizes the annual March Madness tournament, overseeing the selection process, game scheduling, and championship events for both men's and women's basketball.

  2. CBS Sports

    A division of Paramount Global, CBS Sports is a major broadcaster of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Since 1982, it has provided extensive coverage, analysis, and commentary, bringing the excitement of March Madness to millions of homes across the United States.

  3. ESPN

    Founded in 1979, ESPN is a global leader in sports broadcasting and a key platform for March Madness content. While CBS/Turner hold men's tournament rights, ESPN covers the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament extensively and offers year-round college basketball analysis, news, and highlights.

  4. Buffalo Wild Wings

    Founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio, Buffalo Wild Wings is a popular casual dining restaurant and sports bar chain. Known for its wings, beer, and numerous TV screens, it becomes a prime destination for fans to watch March Madness games and enjoy the tournament atmosphere.

  5. Nike

    Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike is a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Many college basketball teams participating in March Madness are sponsored by Nike, making their gear and branding highly visible throughout the tournament.

  6. DraftKings

    Founded in 2012, DraftKings is a prominent American daily fantasy sports contest and sports betting operator. During March Madness, DraftKings offers a wide array of contests, pools, and betting opportunities, allowing fans to engage with the tournament on a deeper level.

  7. Coca-Cola

    The Coca-Cola Company, founded in 1886, is a global beverage giant and a long-standing corporate partner of the NCAA. Through various sponsorships and marketing campaigns, Coca-Cola is a visible presence during March Madness, connecting with fans through themed promotions.

March Madness Hero

James Naismith

James Naismith (1861–1939) was a Canadian-American physical educator, physician, and sports coach, best known as the inventor of basketball. In December 1891, while an instructor at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, he devised the game to be less injury-prone than football. His invention laid the groundwork for college basketball and, eventually, the March Madness phenomenon, fundamentally shaping American sports culture.

March Madness timeline

2011
Adding More Schools

The current 68 team format is implemented for the men’s NCAA March Madness tournament.

1982
March Madness is Born

The phrase “March Madness” is used in reference to the NCAA tournament for the first time by CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger.

1982
Ladies Get Involved

The NCAA holds its first women’s national March Madness tournament.

1939
Getting Started

The first ever men’s NCAA tournament is held.

How Businesses Can Celebrate March Madness

Local businesses can tap into March Madness fever throughout March by hosting themed events and promotions. Sports bars and restaurants can offer special ‘bracket buster’ food and drink deals during games, creating a lively atmosphere for fans. Retailers might run ‘sweet sixteen’ sales or display team merchandise. Office supply stores can promote bracket printing services, while pizzerias and catering companies can offer game-day packages for watch parties. Engaging with the tournament through contests or themed decor can significantly boost customer traffic and community spirit.

March Madness FAQs

When is March Madness?

In 2027, March Madness will once again dominate the month of March, with the Selection Sunday typically falling around the middle of the month. Fans can expect weeks of thrilling college basketball action leading up to the Final Four.

How many teams play in March Madness?

Each year, 68 teams are selected to compete in the highly anticipated March Madness tournament. This field comprises automatic qualifiers from various conferences and teams chosen by the selection committee based on their regular-season performance.

How popular is March Madness?

The tournament consistently ranks among the most-watched events, with its unique single-elimination format creating unparalleled drama. Fan engagement extends beyond viewership, with office pools and bracket challenges becoming a widespread cultural phenomenon each spring.

What is a 'Cinderella story' in March Madness?

The term ‘Cinderella story’ describes a team that defies expectations, often coming from a small conference or having a lower seed, to achieve significant success in the NCAA tournament. Their unexpected victories are a hallmark of March Madness excitement.

March Madness Activities

  1. Throw a viewing party

    March Madness means parties. With games being played all month long just pick a date when your favorite team is playing and invite some friends over to watch the game. Many fans will prepare basketball or college-themed food and drinks or decorate with basketball themed decorations.

  2. Fill out a bracket

    No March Madness celebration is complete without brackets. Usually filled out among offices or groups of friends, brackets are a great way to make March Madness even more interesting. March Madness is unpredictable, so sometimes the strangest predictions can come true!

  3. Pick a team and watch the games

    Watching the games is an important part of celebrating March Madness. Pick a team to root for and join in on the fun, before you know it you will be cheering along with millions of other fans.

Why We Love March Madness

  1. Underdog stories

    Who doesn’t love an underdog story? March Madness utilizes a seeding system that sets the stage perfectly each year for an underdog to upset a highly ranked team. Even if you aren’t an avid fan of college sports or basketball it is easy to root for a team that no one saw coming.

  2. School spirit

    March Madness is great opportunity to rekindle some passion for your old alma mater. With so many teams involved in the men’s and women’s tournaments, odds are you’ve either attended or have some type of connection with at least one school in the tournament. Dust off that old college sweater and support your school!

  3. Its single elimination

    One of the most exciting aspects of March Madness is its single elimination format. Each team is playing for their lives in the tournament so every game matters. Even if you aren’t familiar with any of the schools playing in the tournament, it is easy to get invested when every game feels like the finals.

March Madness dates

Year Date Day
2027 March 1 Monday
2028 March 1 Wednesday
2029 March 1 Thursday
2030 March 1 Friday
2031 March 1 Saturday