Disney+ to Stream March Madness Across Europe and South Africa

Disney+ will broadcast all 134 games of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments – known as March Madness – live across Europe and South Africa, beginning March 17th and running through April 7th, 2026. This expansion of ESPN’s global NCAA rights agreement brings the excitement of college basketball to a wider international audience.

Expanding Access to March Madness

The addition of March Madness to Disney+’s sports lineup, which already includes UEFA Women’s Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League in Denmark and Sweden, and LALIGA in the UK and Ireland, further enhances the platform’s sports offerings. Select games will too be available on ESPN channels in South Africa [Source: Advanced Television].

What is March Madness?

March Madness is a single-elimination tournament featuring 68 teams each for the men’s and women’s championships. The tournament culminates in the Final Four, with the men’s NCAA championship game on April 6th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and the women’s final on April 5th at the Mortgage Matchup Centre in Phoenix [Source: ESPN]. Selection Sunday, when teams learn their bracket placement, will be held on March 15th, 2026.

Industry Reaction

Diego Londono, SVP Networks & Sports EMEA at The Walt Disney Company, emphasized the collaboration between ESPN and the NCAA, stating, “Bringing March Madness to Disney+ customers across Europe reflects the ongoing collaboration between ESPN and the NCAA, and the commitment both organizations share to grow college basketball internationally.” [Source: Disney UK Press Release]

Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball, added, “Collaborating with ESPN and Disney+ allows us to share the excitement of March Madness with a global audience that already values college basketball.” [Source: Disney UK Press Release]

Disney+ Subscription Details

Disney+ subscriptions start at £5.99 per month, offering access to a vast library of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, alongside live sports [Source: Disney UK Press Release]. The platform also includes robust parental controls, including Junior Mode and PIN-protected profiles.

Recent Disney+ Releases

Recent series available on Disney+ include “Paradise,” “The Beauty,” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” with upcoming premieres like “The Testaments” and the second season of “Rivals.”