March Madness 2026 Schedule Revealed

Complete dates and locations for the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament, known as March Madness, is set to begin on Tuesday, March 17 with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. The full 64-team bracket will then get underway two days later on Thursday, March 19. Selection Sunday, when the tournament field is unveiled, is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET.

Why it matters

March Madness is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, drawing massive television audiences and generating significant economic activity for host cities. The announcement of the tournament schedule allows fans, teams, and media outlets to begin planning and preparing for the excitement of the Big Dance.

The details

The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament will feature several top contenders, including Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Iowa State, Connecticut, Houston, and Illinois. Reigning national champion Florida is also expected to be in the mix. The Final Four is set to take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the first time the event has been held at the NFL stadium of the Indianapolis Colts since the COVID-19 bubble tournament in 2021.

  • The First Four games will be played on Tuesday, March 17 in Dayton, Ohio.
  • The full 64-team bracket will begin on Thursday, March 19.
  • Selection Sunday, when the tournament field is unveiled, is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A standout player for Duke, one of the top national championship contenders.

Brayden Burries

The star player for Arizona, another top team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Yaxel Lendeborg

The leading scorer for Michigan, a strong tournament contender.

Milan Momcilovic

The star player for Iowa State, a team hoping to make a deep tournament run.

Solo Ball

The floor general for Connecticut, a perennial March Madness power.

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What they’re saying

“March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans. The tournament always delivers thrilling games and unforgettable moments.”

— Cameron Boozer, Duke Player (USA TODAY)

“Our team is focused and ready to make a deep run in the tournament. We've been working hard all season to put ourselves in position to compete for a national championship.”

— Brayden Burries, Arizona Player (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The next key date is Selection Sunday on March 15, when the full 68-team tournament field will be revealed. From there, teams will begin preparing for their first-round matchups, with the First Four games tipping off on March 17 in Dayton.

The takeaway

The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event, with several top-tier teams and star players vying for the national championship. Fans can look forward to three weeks of thrilling March Madness action, culminating in the Final Four in Indianapolis.