What the data shows
The question on many basketball fans’ minds is: when do the March Madness games begin in 2026? The answer is that the tournament kicks off with the First Four on March 17, 2026, at the UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
The First Four will feature the four lowest-ranked No. 16 seeds and the final four at-large inclusions, typically No. 11 seeds. This year, the matchups include UMBC facing Howard at 6:40 p.m. and Texas going up against NC State at 9:15 p.m. on the opening day.
The tournament began with selections on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and will continue through the Final Four, which is scheduled for April 4 and 6 in Indianapolis. The First Four games will be broadcast nationally on truTV, allowing fans to catch the action live.
On March 18, the First Four will conclude with two additional matchups: Prairie View A&M will take on Lehigh, and Miami (Ohio) will face SMU. This format has been a staple of the NCAA tournament since its introduction in 2011, when the tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams.
In total, 68 teams will compete in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament, culminating in the championship game on April 6, 2026. The games will be aired across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with streaming options available through services like Paramount+ and DirecTV.
The First Four has been held at UD Arena since its inception, except for 2021 when the event was canceled due to COVID-19. This venue has become synonymous with the start of the NCAA tournament, drawing fans eager to witness the excitement of March Madness.
As the tournament approaches, fans are left to ponder the potential outcomes and which teams will advance through the bracket. With the First Four set to begin, the anticipation for March Madness games is palpable, marking the start of a thrilling season in college basketball.
