If you’re walking through Lower Queen Anne right now looking for a bracket and a beer, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the question everyone in the Pacific Northwest seems to be asking lately: where is the march madness seattle schedule for 2025?
The short answer? It doesn't exist.
Basketball fans in the 206 are currently in a bit of a "dry spell" for the men's tournament. While Seattle is a massive hoop town—birthplace of Banchero, Lavine, and legendary Jamal Crawford—the NCAA hasn't put the Emerald City on the docket for this particular spring. If you see websites promising you 2025 dates at Climate Pledge Arena, they’re basically pulling your leg.
But don't give up on the madness just yet. The rotation is a fickle beast, and there is a massive light at the end of the tunnel.
The 2026 March Madness Seattle Schedule is Already Set
While we’re sitting out the 2025 dance, the NCAA has already officially confirmed that the tournament returns to Seattle in 2026. This isn't just a rumor or a "maybe." Climate Pledge Arena is locked in.
The march madness seattle schedule for the 2026 Men's Division I tournament looks like this:
The First and Second Rounds are slated for March 20 and March 22, 2026.
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The University of Washington will serve as the host institution. That means the Huskies (assuming they aren't playing in a different region) will be the ones making sure the floor is polished and the logistics are tight. It’s a huge deal for the city. The last time the men's tournament swung through was back in 2015 at KeyArena before it got its billion-dollar glow-up.
Why the Gap Matters
You’ve probably noticed that Portland seems to get the tournament more often. In 2026, Portland’s Moda Center actually hosts the rounds right before Seattle, on March 19 and 21.
It’s a bit of a Pacific Northwest takeover that year.
If you're looking for a game this year, your best bet is hopping on a quick flight to Boise or Sacramento, or heading down I-5 to see if any regional sites have tickets left. But for the home-court advantage, 2026 is the year we’ve all got circled.
What to Expect at Climate Pledge Arena
When the tournament finally hits the march madness seattle schedule in '26, it won't be like the old days. Climate Pledge is a different animal.
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First off, the acoustics. It’s loud. If a 12-seed starts making a run against a 5-seed in that building, the roof might actually come off.
Secondly, the logistics.
- The Monorail: It’s actually the smartest way to get to the game. Park at Westlake and ride over.
- Fan Zones: Expect the Armory at Seattle Center to be absolutely packed with people wearing school colors you didn't even know existed.
- The Sessions: Remember, these games are sold in "sessions." A session usually includes two back-to-back games. If you want to see all six games played in Seattle, you need the full-strip ticket.
Navigating the 2025 Void
Since we don't have a local march madness seattle schedule to follow this month, most locals are turning their eyes toward the women's tournament or the regional hubs. Seattle hosted the Women's Regionals recently, and the energy was off the charts. It’s proof that this city is a basketball hotbed, even when the NCAA selection committee leaves us off the map for a year.
If you are a die-hard and need to see a game live this year, look at the Western regional sites. San Jose and Las Vegas often pick up the slack when Seattle is out of the rotation.
Getting Tickets for the 2026 Return
Look, I’m going to be real with you. When the march madness seattle schedule goes live for 2026, tickets are going to vanish.
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The NCAA usually starts its ticket lottery and pre-sale nearly a year in advance. We are talking about late spring or early summer of 2025. If you wait until Selection Sunday in March 2026 to look for seats at Climate Pledge, you’re going to be paying "rent-money" prices on the secondary market.
Sign up for the NCAA's newsletter now. It sounds nerdy, but it's the only way to get the early access codes.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there are no games in Seattle this month, here is how you should prep for the tournament's return:
- Mark your calendars for March 20 & 22, 2026. These are the "First and Second Round" dates.
- Monitor the NCAA Ticket Exchange starting in May 2025. That is typically when the first wave of 2026 tickets are released to the general public.
- Check the 2026 Women's Tournament schedule as well, as those sites are often announced on a different cycle and could bring even more games to the PNW.
- Support local hoops in the meantime. Whether it’s the Huskies, the Redhawks, or the Storm, keeping the basketball culture loud in Seattle is what ensures the NCAA keeps coming back.
The wait is annoying, sure. But a tournament in the most sustainable arena in the world? It’s going to be worth it.