As the calendar flips to late February, college basketball fans know what that means-March Madness is just around the corner. Teams are scrambling to polish their résumés, hoping to secure a spot in the Big Dance.
With conference tournaments kicking off soon, the excitement is palpable. These tournaments will crown champions and determine nearly half of the NCAA tournament field, with the full lineup of 68 teams announced on Selection Sunday.
So, what’s the scoop on March Madness 2026? Let’s dive into the key dates, schedule, bracket projections, and more.
March Madness Teams
Out of 365 Division I schools, only 68 will make the cut for the NCAA tournament. The field consists of 31 automatic qualifiers-winners of their respective conference tournaments-and 37 at-large teams, selected by a 12-member committee.
This committee also seeds the teams and places them in one of four regions. It’s a thrilling single-elimination tournament to crown the national champion.
Selection Sunday
Mark your calendars for Selection Sunday on March 15 at 5 p.m. Central time.
This is when teams learn their seeds and where they’ll start their tournament journey. The event is broadcast on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
Bracket Breakdown
Bracketologists have been busy crunching numbers all season. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Houston as the projected No. 1 seeds in their respective regions.
Wisconsin, with a solid 18-8 record, is looking at a No. 7 seed in Michigan’s region, potentially facing No. 10 Georgia in St.
Louis. The Badgers have had a rollercoaster season, including a notable win against Michigan.
On the bubble are teams like Santa Clara, Missouri, UCLA, and USC, while TCU, San Diego State, New Mexico, and VCU are on the outside looking in. Florida, last year’s NCAA champion, is a projected No. 3 seed in the South Region, boasting a strong 20-6 record in the SEC.
When Does March Madness Start?
The madness kicks off with the First Four games on March 17, followed by the first round on March 19.
Tickets and Locations
Tickets for all March Madness sites are on sale, with sessions sold separately for the first and second rounds. Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, and national championship game packages are also available.
The tournament begins with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio, on March 17 and 18. First- and second-round games are spread across eight sites, including Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, and Portland on March 19 and 21, and Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis, and Tampa on March 20 and 22.
Sweet 16 and Elite 8
Regional rounds take place as follows:
- South Regional: Houston, Texas - Toyota Center
- West Regional: San Jose, California - SAP Center
- Midwest Regional: Chicago, Illinois - United Center
- East Regional: Washington, D.C. - Capital One Arena
Final Four and Championship
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will host the Final Four and championship game on April 4 and 6. This marks the fourth time the stadium and ninth time the city has hosted the Final Four.
As we gear up for another thrilling March Madness, fans can expect the usual mix of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and unforgettable moments. So, get ready to fill out those brackets and enjoy the ride!