You've felt it before. That specific mid-March itch where work productivity dies and the sound of squeaking sneakers on hardwood becomes the soundtrack of your life. It’s almost here again. If you're trying to figure out when does ncaa basketball tournament start for the 2026 season, the short answer is March 17, 2026.
But it’s never just one date, right?
March Madness is a rolling thunder of a schedule that takes over the calendar for three straight weeks. For the men's side, everything begins in Dayton, Ohio. For the women, the spotlight hits a day later. If you don't have your calendar marked by Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, you're basically already behind. Honestly, the chaos is the point.
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The 2026 Men's Tournament Schedule Breakdown
The men’s bracket officially kicks off with the First Four on March 17 and 18. These are those high-stakes "play-in" games at UD Arena where teams fight just to get into the main bracket of 64.
The real explosion happens on Thursday, March 19. That’s the "First Round" proper.
We’re talking 16 games in one day. Then 16 more on Friday. It is arguably the best two-day stretch in all of sports. If you aren't "sick" or "working from home" on those dates, you're doing it wrong. Here is how the rest of the 2026 roadmap looks:
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- First & Second Rounds: March 19–22. Games are scattered across the map—places like Buffalo, Portland, and San Diego.
- Sweet 16 & Elite Eight: March 26–29. This is where things get serious. The regionals move to Houston, San Jose, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
- The Final Four: Saturday, April 4.
- National Championship: Monday, April 6.
Everything ends at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Indy knows how to host these things. It's a basketball state, and the atmosphere in that building for a title game is usually pretty legendary.
When Does NCAA Basketball Tournament Start for the Women?
The women's tournament has seen a massive surge in viewership lately, and for good reason. The talent is through the roof. For the 2026 season, the Women’s First Four begins on March 18 and 19.
They follow a slightly different rhythm than the men. Their First and Second rounds run from March 20 through March 23. It’s a smart move because it gives fans a chance to catch games without constantly flipping channels between the two brackets.
The regionals for the women are taking place in Fort Worth and Sacramento from March 27 to March 30. Eventually, the whole circus moves to Phoenix, Arizona. The Women's Final Four lands on April 3, with the National Championship game scheduled for Sunday, April 5, at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Why Selection Sunday is the Real Starting Gun
Technically, the games haven't started, but Selection Sunday (March 15, 2026) is when the madness truly begins.
This is when the committee reveals the 68 teams. You’ll see grown adults arguing over "strength of schedule" and "quadrant one wins" like their lives depend on it. It’s also when the bracket-filling frenzy starts.
There's always a snub. Some mid-major team with 27 wins gets left out for a mediocre Power 5 school, and the internet loses its collective mind. It’s a tradition. Without that drama, the actual start of the tournament wouldn't feel as earned.
Key Locations to Watch in 2026
If you’re planning a trip, the geography of the 2026 tournament is pretty expansive. The NCAA tries to keep teams close to home for the early rounds to help with travel, but that’s not always a guarantee.
In the first weekend (March 19-22), you'll see games in:
- Buffalo, NY (KeyBank Center)
- Greenville, SC (Bon Secours Wellness Arena)
- Oklahoma City, OK (Paycom Center)
- Portland, OR (Moda Center)
- Philadelphia, PA (Wells Fargo Center)
- St. Louis, MO (Enterprise Center)
- Tampa, FL (Amalie Arena)
- San Diego, CA (Viejas Arena)
For the Regional rounds, the Men's South Regional is in Houston at the Toyota Center, while the West is in San Jose at the SAP Center. The Midwest heads to the United Center in Chicago, and the East will be decided at Capital One Arena in D.C.
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Actionable Steps for Fans
Knowing when does ncaa basketball tournament start is only the first step. To actually enjoy it without missing the best moments, you need a plan.
- Book your time off now. If you want to watch the first round (March 19-20), get those requests in before your coworkers do.
- Check your streaming services. Most games are split between CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Make sure your logins actually work before tip-off.
- Download the March Madness Live app. It’s the easiest way to track multiple scores at once and catch the "Boss Button" if you're trying to watch at your desk.
- Finalize brackets by March 17. Once the First Four tips off in Dayton, many pools lock their entries. Don't be the person asking for a link at 7:00 PM on Tuesday.
The 2026 tournament promises to be another wild ride. With the transfer portal and NIL changing rosters every year, the gap between the "blue bloods" and the underdogs is thinner than ever. Prepare for the upsets—they’re coming.