Key Dates for 2026 NCAA Tournament Announced

Selection Sunday, First Four, and regional round locations revealed for March Madness

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament schedule has been announced, with Selection Sunday taking place on March 15 and the First Four games kicking off the tournament on March 17-18. The first two rounds will be held at eight venues across the country, with no games scheduled in New Jersey. The regional round locations have also been revealed.

Why it matters

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, drawing massive viewership and fan engagement. Knowing the key dates and locations helps fans plan their March Madness viewing and attendance.

The details

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will begin with Selection Sunday on March 15, where the 68-team field will be revealed. The First Four games will then take place on March 17-18 in Dayton, Ohio. The first and second rounds will be held at eight venues across the country, including the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia and the Key Bank Center in Buffalo, but no games are scheduled for New Jersey. After the first two rounds, the tournament will transition to the regional round at undisclosed locations.

  • Selection Sunday will be on Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m.
  • The First Four games will be played on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18.
  • The first round of the tournament will begin on Thursday, March 19.

The players

NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the organization that oversees college sports, including the Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

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What’s next

The NCAA will announce the specific regional round locations at a later date.

The takeaway

Fans can start planning their March Madness viewing and attendance now that the key dates and initial locations for the 2026 NCAA Tournament have been revealed.