Get your head in the game! One of the biggest competitions in college sports returns soon.
The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, known as March Madness, begins March 18. The women’s NCAA tournament begins a day after, on Wednesday, March 19.
Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or making a bracket for fun, here’s what you need to know about March Madness 2025.
When does March Madness start in 2025?
The men’s NCAA tournament begins Tuesday, March 18. The women’s NCAA tournament begins a day after, on Wednesday, March 19.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
When do March Madness brackets come out?
Brackets come out on Selection Sunday, which is March 16 for both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
March Madness 2025 schedule
Men’s March Madness schedule
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16.
- First Four: March 18-19.
- First round: March 20-21.
- Second round: March 22-23.
- Sweet 16: March 27-28.
- Elite Eight: March 29-30.
- Final Four: Saturday, April 5.
- Championship: Monday, April 7.
Women’s March Madness schedule
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16.
- First Four: March 19-20.
- First round: March 21-22.
- Second round: March 23-24.
- Sweet 16: March 28-29.
- Elite Eight: March 30-31.
- Final Four: Friday, April 4.
- Championship: Sunday, April 6.
Where is March Madness 2025?
Stadiums and arenas across the country will host the men’s tournament games. The First Four games, March 18-19, will be at UD Arena in Dayton. The Final Four and the championship game, taking place April 5 and 7, will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The women’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be played at two sites. The March 28-31 games will be at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington. The Final Four and national championship, scheduled for April 4 and 6, will be played at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
What channel is March Madness?
All March Madness 2024 games, including the Final Four and the NCAA championship, will air on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Women’s March Madness games will air on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
Where to stream March Madness
You can watch every game of the 2025 men’s tournament live from almost any device through NCAA March Madness Live app and on the NCAA’s website. To watch, select your TV provider and enter your username and password. Other streaming options include Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, Youtube TV and Sling TV.
All of the women’s tournament games will be available to stream on ESPN+, Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
How to fill out a March Madness bracket
Teams competing in March Madness 2025 have yet to be selected, but you can get ahead of the game by downloading and printing a blank March Madness bracket on the NCAA’s website.
The same goes for the women’s tournament: While no teams are selected yet, the NCAA’s website also offers a blank bracket to fill out.
Has there ever been a perfect March Madness bracket?
No one has ever submitted a perfect bracket for the NCAA March Madness tournament, per the NCAA website.
The longest verifiable streak of correct picks in an NCAA tournament bracket was 49. This streak occurred in 2019 when an Ohio man correctly predicted the tournament into the Sweet 16.
Who won March Madness 2024?
The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team earned its second consecutive national championship and sixth overall last year after defeating Purdue 75-60. The South Carolina women’s basketball team won its third NCAA championship in 2024, beating the University of Iowa 85-75.
