Selection Sunday for the 2026 March Madness tournament is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026. The full 68-team bracket will be revealed during the selection show, typically broadcast on CBS at 6:00 PM ET.
This kicks off the tournament for both the men’s and women’s brackets.
Key Dates for 2026 March Madness
Once the brackets are set on Selection Sunday, the tournament moves quickly:
Round | Men’s Dates | Women’s Dates |
| First Four | March 17–18 | March 18–19 |
| First Round | March 19–20 | March 20–21 |
| Second Round | March 21–22 | March 22–23 |
| Sweet 16 | March 26–27 | March 27–28 |
| Elite Eight | March 28–29 | March 29–30 |
| Final Four | April 4 | April 3 |
| Championship | April 6 | April 5 |
Fun Fact for the 2026 Season:
The Men’s Final Four and National Championship will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, while the Women’s Final Four will take place at the PHX Arena in Phoenix.
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How to Watch March Madness
In the USA, the 2026 March Madness tournament is split across four main networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
Because the tournament is “even-numbered” this year, there is a major shift: The Final Four and the National Championship will air on TBS, rather than CBS.
Where to Watch on TV
CBS: Select games from the First Round through the Elite Eight.
TBS: The “primary” tournament channel this year, including the Final Four and National Championship.
TNT & truTV: Heavy coverage of the First Four and the opening rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32).
Streaming Options (Cord-Cutters)
If you don’t have cable, you have several ways to catch every game:
| Service | Price (Approx.) | Channels Included |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo | All 4: CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV |
| Hulu + Live TV | $82.99/mo | All 4: CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV |
| Max (HBO Max) | $16.99/month | TBS, TNT, truTV (via B/R Sports Add-on) |
| Paramount+ | $12.99/month | CBS Games Only (Requires “Premium/Showtime” plan) |
| Sling TV (Blue) | $45/month | TBS, TNT, truTV (No CBS) |
Pro Tip: The most cost-effective “DIY” bundle is often a combination of Max (for the Turner channels) and Paramount+ (for the CBS games). This covers the entire tournament for roughly $30.
Official App: March Madness Live
You can stream every game on the NCAA March Madness Live app (iOS, Android, Roku, FireTV).
The Catch: You will need to log in with your TV provider credentials (like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Xfinity) to watch the Turner games (TBS/TNT/truTV).
The Bonus: It usually offers a “preview pass” (often 3 hours) for free before requiring a login.
Important for 2026
Since the National Championship (April 6) is on TBS this year, an over-the-air antenna will not work for the final game (antennas only pick up CBS). You will definitely need a streaming service or cable package that includes TBS to see the champion crowned.
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