The 2026 March Madness First Four is set to begin on March 17, 2026, at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. This event marks the start of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which will feature two days of crucial matchups.
The First Four games will take place on March 17 and 18, showcasing the four lowest-ranked No. 16 seeds and the final four at-large inclusions, typically No. 11 seeds. The first game on March 17 will see UMBC face off against Howard at 6:40 p.m., followed by Texas taking on NC State at 9:15 p.m.
On March 18, the action continues with Lehigh competing against Prairie View A&M at 6:40 p.m., and Miami (Ohio) squaring off against SMU at 9:15 p.m. All four games will be broadcast nationally on truTV.
The winners of these matchups will secure their spots in the NCAA tournament, with the UMBC vs. Howard winner becoming the No. 16 seed in the Midwest region, while the Texas vs. NC State winner will earn the No. 11 seed in the West region. Additionally, the victor of Lehigh vs. Prairie View A&M will take the No. 16 seed in the South region, and the Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU winner will become the No. 11 seed in the Midwest region.
The First Four has been a part of the NCAA tournament since its expansion from 65 teams to 68 in 2011, providing an exciting opportunity for teams to compete for a chance at the championship. As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds among fans and players alike.
“The First Four begins on Tuesday, March 17 with the UMBC-Howard and Texas-NC State games,” a spokesperson noted. This year’s tournament is expected to draw significant attention, especially with teams like Miami (Ohio), which boasts a strong record of 31-1 this season.
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament will officially kick off with selections made on Sunday, March 15, leading into the First Four games. As teams prepare for their respective matchups, the excitement surrounding March Madness continues to grow.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional events or changes to the tournament format this year, but the focus remains on the upcoming games and the teams vying for a chance at the national title.
