When does March Madness start? NCAA Tournament schedule, dates and host cities
March is recognized for two main events: the beginning of spring and the excitement of March Madness. We are now in the final countdown to Selection Sunday, when the NCAA men's and women's brackets will be unveiled.
With some automatic bids already secured and the major conference tournaments wrapping up with their champions crowned, we are on the brink of the men's and women's NCAA Tournament. The excitement kicks off with the men's First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, less than a week away. The first and second rounds will unfold over the weekend in eight cities nationwide. In the women's bracket, the top 16-seeded teams will host games during the first and second rounds.
Until the bracket is unveiled on Selection Sunday, all we can do is speculate, analyze, and attempt to forecast the outcome. Here are the key dates to keep in mind as we approach the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a thrilling event that promises surprises and upsets.
How to watch Selection Sunday
When does the Men's March Madness bracket come out?
The men's March Madness bracket reveal will start at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 16. It will be broadcast by CBS.
- Date: Sunday, March 16
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Stream: Paramount+, Sling, DirecTV Stream
Watch March Madness Selection shows on Fubo (free trial)
When does women's March Madness bracket come out?
The women's March Madness bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 16, with a Selection Sunday broadcast set for 8 p.m. ET.
When does the 2025 NCAA Tournament begin?
The tournaments will kick off with the First Four matchups. The men’s games are scheduled for March 18 and 19 at the University of Dayton. The women’s First Four will start a day later, with all four games taking place between March 19 and 20.
NCAA Tournament dates for each round
Men's tournament
- First Four: March 18 - 19
- Round of 64: March 20 - 21
- Round of 32: March 22 - 23
- Sweet 16: March 27 - 28
- Elite Eight: March 29 - 30
- Final Four: April 5
- NCAA Championship: April 7
Women's tournament
- First Four: March 19 - 20
- Round of 64: March 21 - 22
- Round of 32: March 23 - 24
- Sweet 16: March 28 - 29
- Elite Eight: March 30 - 31
- Final Four: April 4
- NCAA Championship: April 6
Who is hosting each round?
Men's tournament
- First Four: University of Dayton
- Round of 64: University of Kentucky; Providence College; University of Washington; Wichita State University; Rocket Arena in Cleveland; Ball Arena in Denver; Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee; Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
- Round of 32: University of Kentucky; Providence College; University of Washington; Wichita State University; Rocket Arena in Cleveland; Ball Arena in Denver; Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee; Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
- Sweet 16: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- Elite Eight: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- Final Four: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA Championship: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Women's tournament
- First Four: TBD/top seeds will host
- Round of 64: TBD/top seeds will host
- Round of 32: TBD/top seeds will host
- Sweet 16: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington
- Elite Eight: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington
- Final Four: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
- NCAA Championship: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When does March Madness start? Tournament schedule, dates, sites
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