2026 March Madness: Your Complete Guide to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament

The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, commonly known as March Madness, is set to begin with Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, and culminate with the championship game on April 6, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here’s a comprehensive seem at the schedule, key dates, and locations for the 2026 tournament.

Key Dates for the 2026 NCAA Tournament

• Selection Sunday: March 15, 2026 (6 p.m. ET on CBS)
• First Four: March 17 & 18, 2026
• First Round: March 19 & 20, 2026
• Second Round: March 21 & 22, 2026
• Sweet 16: March 26 & 27, 2026
• Elite Eight: March 28 & 29, 2026
• Final Four: April 4, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
• NCAA Championship Game: April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (8:30 p.m. ET on TBS)

First and Second Round Locations

The first and second rounds of the tournament will be hosted in eight different cities:

• Buffalo, NY (KeyBank Center)
• Greenville, SC (Bon Secours Wellness Arena)
• Oklahoma City, OK (Paycom Center)
• Portland, OR (Moda Center)
• Tampa, FL (Benchmark International Arena)
• Philadelphia, PA (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
• San Diego, CA (Viejas Arena)
• St. Louis, Missouri

Regional Locations (Sweet 16 & Elite Eight)

The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played in the following cities:

• Houston, TX (South Region)
• San Jose, CA (West Region)
• Chicago, IL (Midwest Region)
• Washington, D.C. (East Region)

Final Four and Championship in Indianapolis

The Final Four and the National Championship game will both be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The national semifinal games will take place on April 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET (TBS). The national title game will be played on April 6, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. ET (TBS).

How to Follow the Tournament

CBS Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, including schedules, bracket information, and live game updates. CBS Sports will also offer details on when, where, and how to watch every game. NCAA.com provides the official tournament schedule and bracket.

Looking Ahead

As March Madness 2026 approaches, fans can anticipate a thrilling tournament filled with upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for bracket reveals, team previews, and live coverage throughout the tournament.