Men's March Madness start date: When Does the 2026 NCAA College Basketball Season Start?, Full schedule dates, venues
When does March Madness begin?
You don't have to wait much longer for the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament to start.
We're a month away from Selection Sunday, so you may be getting that March Madness itch already.
The men's basketball conference races are heating up and the bubble is getting crowded. We'll know soon enough who is in The Big Dance.
Here's an early look at what you need to know, including key dates March Madness dates and conference tournament schedules. Here's our latest bracketology.
When is the 2026 Selection Sunday?
The bracket for the men's NCAA Tournament will be revealed during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on March 15, 2026.
What channel is the Selection Sunday on?
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+ | Fubo (free trial)
The 2026 NCAA tournament selection show will air on CBS, its traditional broadcast home. Streaming options include Paramount+, CBS's streaming site, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
CBS will air the show, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. MST (6 p.m. EST).
When does the 2026 March Madness start?
The first men’s game of the 2026 NCAA tournament will be on March 17 with the start of the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
March Madness schedule: dates for Men's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will transpire over the next three weeks, which will end with the Final Four and the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
Sunday, March 15, 6 p.m. EST: NCAA Tournament Selection Show
First Four: March 17-18 (Buy tickets)
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (Buy tickets)
National championship game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (Buy tickets)
How to watch NCAA Tournament on TV in 2026
What channels will NCAA Tournament games be on in 2026?
The 2026 men's NCAA Tournament games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV.
Specific television information will be released after the NCAA Tournament field is announced during the Selection Show on March 15.
Games will also be available to stream via streaming services, such as FuboTV (stream with this free trial) and SlingTV.
Men's college basketball conference tournament dates, schedule, locations
ASUN: March 4-8 (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Big South: March 4-8 (Johnson City, Tenn.)
Summit: March 4-8 (Sioux Falls, SD)
MVC: March 5-8 (St. Louis)
OVC: March 4-7 (Evansville, Ind.)
Sun Belt: March 3-9 (Pensacola, Fla.)
SoCon: March 6-9 (Asheville, NC)
Horizon: March 2-10 (Indianapolis)
NEC: March 4-10 (on campus)
MAAC: March 5-10 (Atlantic City, NJ)
WCC: March 5-10 (Las Vegas)
CAA: March 6-10 (Washington DC)
Patriot: March 3-11 (on campus)
Big Sky: March 7-11 (Boise)
Southland: March 8-12 (Lake Charles, La.)
America East: March 7-14 (on campus)
Mountain West: March 7-14 (Las Vegas)
SWAC: March 9-14 (Atlanta)
ACC: March 10-14 (Charlotte)
Big 12: March 10-14 (Kansas City)
Conference USA: March 10-14 (Huntsville, Ala.)
Big East: March 11-14 (New York City)
Big West: March 11-14 (Henderson, NV)
MAC: March 11-14 (Cleveland)
MEAC: March 11-14 (Norfolk, Va.)
WAC: March 11-14 (Las Vegas)
Big Ten: March 10-15 (Chicago)
American: March 11-15 (Birmingham)
Atlantic 10: March 11-15 (Pittsburgh)
SEC: March 11-15 (Nashville)
Ivy: March 14-15 (Ithaca, NY)
Where is the 2026 Final Four?
This year's men's basketball Final Four and championship games will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 & 6. Click here to buy tickets.
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