BREAKING NEWS: The official schedule for the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament has just been announced, setting the stage for an exhilarating culmination of the 2025-26 college basketball season. Fans can mark their calendars for Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, when the complete 68-team bracket will be unveiled, igniting the excitement of March Madness!
The tournament kicks off with the First Four at UD Arena in Dayton, where eight teams will battle for their place in the main event on March 17 and 18. The action heats up as the Round of 64 begins on Thursday, March 19, followed by the Round of 32 on Saturday, March 21.
This year’s tournament features thrilling first and second-round matchups in eight cities: Buffalo, NY; Greenville, SC; Oklahoma City, OK; Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; and St. Louis, MO.
The tournament progresses to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, taking place in major venues across the nation: Houston, TX (South); San Jose, CA (West); Chicago, IL (Midwest); and Washington, D.C. (East). Fans eagerly anticipate the Final Four showdown on April 4 and 6 at the iconic Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the ultimate champion will be crowned.
As excitement builds, basketball enthusiasts are encouraged to follow Joe Lunardi’s ESPN Bracketology for the latest projections and updates on teams. Bracket updates occur every Tuesday during the non-conference season and become even more frequent as championship weeks approach.
The full timeline for the tournament is as follows:
– Selection Sunday: March 15
– First Four: March 17-18, UD Arena, Dayton
– Round of 64: March 19-20
– Round of 32: March 21-22
– Sweet 16: March 26-27
– Elite Eight: March 28-29
– Final Four: April 4-6, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Fans can’t afford to miss a moment of this thrilling tournament! Stay tuned for the latest updates and match highlights as March Madness 2026 approaches!