March Madness 2026: Complete NCAA Tournament Schedule and Selection Process Revealed
The annual frenzy of March Madness is rapidly approaching, with the 2026 NCAA basketball tournaments scheduled to commence in mid-March. While conference tournaments will captivate audiences during the early part of the month, the official journey toward a national championship officially begins with Selection Sunday. This pivotal event reveals the complete 68-team bracket, setting the stage for three weeks of intense competition.
Selection Sunday and Tournament Qualification
On March 15, 2026, Selection Sunday for the men's tournament will occur, broadcast on CBS and available for online streaming. This day is crucial as teams discover their seeding, regional placements, and potential paths to the Final Four. The selection committee awards bids through two primary methods: 31 automatic bids go to conference tournament champions, while 37 at-large bids are granted to teams with outstanding regular-season records that did not secure conference titles.
Before the official bracket release, the NCAA selection committee provides an early glimpse by revealing the top 16 teams. This offers insight into current perceptions of contenders, though late-season performances and conference tournament outcomes can dramatically alter seeding. For bubble teams vying for at-large bids and top programs seeking favorable matchups, every game in late February and early March carries heightened significance.
Men's March Madness 2026 Schedule
The men's NCAA Tournament officially tips off with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, on March 17-18. These play-in matchups determine the final teams advancing into the main bracket. The first round, often considered the beginning of bracket chaos, unfolds on March 19-20 with 32 games across two days. Action continues swiftly with the second round scheduled for March 21-22, narrowing the field to 16 teams.
The tournament's later stages maintain a consistent timeline:
- Sweet 16: March 26-27
- Elite Eight: March 28-29, where regional champions are decided
- Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- National Championship Game: April 6 at the same venue
These final matchups will crown the 2026 men's college basketball champion after nearly three weeks of relentless competition.
Women's March Madness 2026 Schedule
The women's NCAA Tournament follows a similar structure but begins one day later than the men's event. The First Four games are scheduled for March 18-19, with first-round action starting on March 20-21. Second-round games occur on March 22-23, leading into the Sweet 16 on March 27-28 and the Elite Eight on March 29-30.
The women's Final Four is set for April 3, while the national championship game will be played on April 5. This parallel schedule ensures both tournaments deliver non-stop excitement throughout March and into early April.
The Essence of March Madness
As the countdown continues, March Madness once again promises the elements that make the NCAA Tournament one of the most anticipated annual events in sports: buzzer-beaters, stunning upsets, and unforgettable Cinderella stories. From Selection Sunday through the championship games, fans across the country will be treated to a spectacle of athleticism, strategy, and raw emotion that defines college basketball at its finest.
