Everything changes when the calendar hits March. If you’re a college hoops fan, you already know the feeling of a million browser tabs being open at once. You've got brackets, betting odds, and that one friend who swears they know which 12-seed is going to the Elite Eight. But honestly, the logistics for the final four basketball schedule in 2026 are already causing a bit of confusion because we’re looking at a massive geographical split between the men’s and women’s tournaments.
It’s gonna be a wild ride.
The Men’s tournament is heading back to a familiar basketball mecca, while the Women’s tournament is breaking ground in a city that’s becoming a massive hub for championship sports. If you're trying to plan a trip or just clear your calendar for that "sick day" in April, you need the hard dates now.
The Men’s Road to Indianapolis
Indy basically lives and breathes this stuff. The final four basketball schedule for the men peaks at Lucas Oil Stadium, a venue that’s hosted this thing so many times it practically has the NCAA’s home address. Because it’s a dome, they can pack in over 70,000 people. If you’ve never been, the energy is just different.
The action kicks off with the First Four in Dayton on March 17 and 18. Honestly, people sleep on the First Four, but those games are usually absolute wars because nobody wants to go home before the "real" bracket even starts.
Here is how the rest of the Men's schedule shakes out:
The first and second rounds run from March 19 through March 22. You’ll see games everywhere from Buffalo and Philly to San Diego and Portland. Then, the Regionals (the Sweet 16 and Elite 8) happen between March 26 and March 29.
The big show? The National Semifinals are Saturday, April 4.
The National Championship is Monday night, April 6.
Current projections from analysts like Mike DeCourcy are already pointing toward a heavy SEC and Big Ten presence. Teams like Michigan and Arizona are sitting high in the early odds, but we all know how a single twisted ankle or a cold shooting night in March can ruin a season.
Why the Women’s Schedule in Phoenix is a Big Deal
While the guys are in the Midwest, the women are taking over the desert. The 2026 Women’s final four basketball schedule lands in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Mortgage Matchup Center. This is actually the first time Phoenix has hosted the Women's Final Four, and considering the meteoric rise in viewership for the women's game lately, tickets are probably going to be harder to find than a four-leaf clover.
The Women’s tournament starts a day later than the men’s. The First Four is March 18 and 19.
First and Second rounds follow on March 20 through March 23.
One thing that’s kinda unique about the women’s path is the regional format. They’re using two major "super-regionals" in Fort Worth and Sacramento from March 27 to March 30.
The Women's Final Four dates to circle:
The National Semifinals take place on Friday, April 3.
The National Championship is Sunday, April 5.
Basically, if you’re a basketball junkie, that first weekend in April is going to be a blur of high-stakes hoops. You get the women’s semis Friday, the men’s semis Saturday, the women’s final Sunday, and the men’s final Monday. Four straight days of "win or go home" pressure.
Scoping Out the Favorites
It’s early, but the betting markets are already moving. Michigan is currently a favorite to make a deep run on the men's side, often sitting around +425 for the title in early January books. Arizona is right there behind them. It’s interesting because Nebraska has recently jumped up to a projected No. 1 seed in some brackets, which would be a massive story for a program that hasn't historically been a "blue blood."
On the women’s side, the landscape is shifting. We’re seeing more parity than ever. The days of one or two teams steamrolling the entire field are sort of over. While established powerhouses like UConn and South Carolina are always in the mix, the transfer portal has spread the talent so thin that the final four basketball schedule could easily feature four teams we’ve never seen on that stage together.
Logistics and Tips for the Fans
If you’re actually planning on attending, don’t wait. Indianapolis is a "walkable" city, but hotel prices in the downtown area near Lucas Oil Stadium are already hitting the $400+ range for that weekend. Phoenix is a bit more spread out, so you’ll likely need a rental car or a healthy Uber budget if you’re staying near Scottsdale or the airport.
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Most people don’t realize that the "Final Four Fan Fest" and the "March Madness Music Festival" are actually worth the time. They usually happen in the days leading up to the games and often feature massive headliners. It’s a way to get the tournament experience without necessarily dropping two grand on a courtside seat.
One last thing to keep in mind: the game times are usually released very late. Television networks (CBS, TBS, ESPN) wait until the matchups are set to decide who gets the prime-time slot. Generally, the first semifinal game on Friday or Saturday tips off around 6:00 PM local time, with the second game following about 30 minutes after the first one ends.
To stay ahead of the game, you should start tracking the conference tournaments in early March. The Big Ten is split this year, with the women in Indy (Gainbridge Fieldhouse) and the men in Chicago (United Center). How teams perform in those specific arenas often gives you a "kinda-sorta" preview of how they'll handle the pressure of the big dance.
Actionable Steps for 2026
- Book lodging now: Use refundable sites if you aren't sure your team will make it, but lock in a rate before the regional rounds finish.
- Monitor the "First Four" bubble: Watch teams like Texas A&M, Indiana, and Missouri. They are currently on the "Last Four In" line and will likely be the ones fighting in Dayton or for those early women's slots.
- Sync your calendars: Add the April 3–6 window to your digital calendar now to avoid scheduling conflicts with weddings or work events.
- Check the Ticket Exchange: The NCAA has an official ticket exchange. Avoid buying from random social media accounts; the fraud in the "Final Four" market is notoriously bad.
The final four basketball schedule isn't just a list of dates; it's the culmination of a long, grueling season. Whether you're pulling for a Cinderella or a powerhouse, being in the stands in Indy or Phoenix is a bucket-list item for any real fan.