Unlock March Madness NOW: Get Your FREE 2026 Brackets for Men's & Women's Tournaments Before They’re Gone!

March Madness is upon us, with the brackets for the 2026 NCAA men's and women's tournaments officially unveiled on Selection Sunday. Fans can expect the action to kick off soon, as the first games will be played in only a few days.

Those looking to participate in the excitement have until Thursday morning to fill out their men's brackets and until Friday morning for the women's. For those who want expert guidance, our analysts will be sharing picks for every matchup, along with potential Cinderellas and standout teams in the coming days.

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On the men’s side, four teams stand out as clear favorites, all receiving No. 1 seeds in the tournament: Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida. These teams have shown remarkable strength throughout the season, although the Gators did experience a setback in the SEC semifinals last Saturday.

In the women’s bracket, all eyes are on UConn, which heads into the tournament undefeated, riding an impressive 50-game win streak. The Huskies are the overwhelming favorites, with betting odds of -275, the shortest for any team heading into the tournament in four years.

The excitement will begin with the First Four games on the men's side starting on Tuesday, followed by the women's First Four on Wednesday. Here’s a detailed schedule for both tournaments.

2026 NCAA Tournament Schedule

The tournament unofficially kicked off with Selection Sunday, but the real action starts on March 17.

2026 March Madness Men’s Schedule:

• First Four: March 17-18 (TruTV)

• First Round: March 19-20 (CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV)

• Second Round: March 21-22 (CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV)

• Sweet 16: March 26-27 (CBS, TBS)

• Elite Eight: March 28-29 (CBS, TBS)

• Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (CBS)

• NCAA Championship Game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (CBS)

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2026 March Madness Women’s Schedule:

• First Four: March 18-19 (ESPN2, ESPNU)

• First Round: March 20-21 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU)

• Second Round: March 22-23 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU)

• Sweet 16: March 27-28 (ESPN, ESPN2)

• Elite Eight: March 29-30 (ESPN)

• Final Four: Friday, April 3 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix (ESPN, ESPN+)

• NCAA Championship Game: Sunday, April 5 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix (ESPN3, ESPN+)

As fans across the nation prepare for the thrill of March Madness, it's not just about filling out brackets. It's about experiencing the drama, the unpredictability, and the sheer excitement that comes with college basketball. Whether you're rooting for a powerhouse like UConn or hoping for an underdog to rise, this season promises to deliver riveting moments that will leave an indelible mark on the sport.