March Madness is back, and the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises another thrilling ride of college basketball action. From Selection Sunday to the Final Four and the national championship game, fans across the globe are gearing up for one of the most exciting events in sports. Whether you’re a die-hard college hoops fan, a casual viewer, or someone looking to fill out a bracket, this guide has everything you need to know about the 2025 March Madness schedule, key dates, and what to expect as the tournament unfolds.
As of today, March 21, 2025, the tournament is already underway, with the First Round tipping off. Here, we’ll break down the full schedule, highlight critical dates, and provide insights into how this year’s tournament is shaping up. Let’s get started! FOR MORE DETAILS
What Is March Madness?
Before diving into the 2025 schedule, let’s briefly recap what makes March Madness so special. The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is a single-elimination competition featuring 68 college teams battling for the national championship. Known for its unpredictability, Cinderella stories, and buzzer-beaters, March Madness captivates millions of fans each year. The tournament spans several weeks, starting with Selection Sunday and culminating in the Final Four and the championship game.
The 2025 edition marks the 86th annual tournament, and with a mix of powerhouse programs and underdog hopefuls, this year’s event is set to deliver unforgettable moments. Now, let’s explore the key dates and schedule for March Madness 2025.
2025 March Madness Schedule: Key Dates at a Glance
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament follows a familiar timeline, with games spread across multiple rounds and locations. Here’s the complete schedule:
- First Four: March 18-19, 2025
- First Round: March 20-21, 2025
- Second Round: March 22-23, 2025
- Sweet 16: March 27-28, 2025
- Elite Eight: March 29-30, 2025
- Final Four: April 5, 2025
- National Championship Game: April 7, 2025
Each stage brings its own excitement, and with games broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, fans won’t miss a second of the action. Below, we’ll break down each phase of the tournament in detail, including locations, what to expect, and how to watch.
Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025
The road to the 2025 national championship began on March 16, 2025, with Selection Sunday. This is when the NCAA Selection Committee unveiled the 68-team field, revealing the bracket and seeding for the tournament. Broadcast live on CBS at 6 p.m. ET, Selection Sunday set the stage for weeks of intense competition.
The 68 teams include 31 automatic qualifiers—winners of their respective conference tournaments—and 37 at-large bids selected by the committee. The top teams were seeded from 1 to 16 across four regions (East, South, Midwest, and West), while eight teams (the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and four lowest at-large teams) were slated to compete in the First Four.
For 2025, expect powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky, and Gonzaga to headline the bracket, alongside emerging teams like UC San Diego, making its tournament debut in its first year of eligibility. Selection Sunday is also when bracket pools kick off, so fans wasted no time predicting upsets and champions.
First Four: March 18-19, 2025
The tournament officially tipped off with the First Four on March 18-19, 2025, hosted at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. This preliminary round featured eight teams vying for four spots in the main 64-team bracket. The matchups pitted the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers against each other and the lowest at-large teams in intense play-in games.
The First Four is a proving ground for underdogs, often producing early surprises that set the tone for the tournament. Games were broadcast across truTV, with streaming available via NCAA March Madness Live. By the end of March 19, the field was officially set at 64 teams, ready for the First Round.
First Round: March 20-21, 2025
The First Round, held on March 20-21, 2025, marked the true start of March Madness chaos. With 32 games spread over two days, fans witnessed the full bracket come to life. This round featured classic 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, and other mashups, often delivering the first wave of upsets.
First Round Host Cities
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Seattle, Washington
- Wichita, Kansas
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Denver, Colorado
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Raleigh, North Carolina
As of today, March 21, the First Round is in full swing, with 16 games already completed yesterday and another 16 scheduled for today. Top seeds like Auburn, Houston, and Florida are battling to avoid early exits, while Cinderella hopefuls aim to make their mark. Games air on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with tip times staggered from noon to midnight ET.
Second Round: March 22-23, 2025
Following the First Round, the Second Round takes place on March 22-23, 2025, narrowing the field from 64 to 32 teams giving fans a chance to see the surviving teams in action.
The Second Round is where top seeds often face stiffer competition, and bracket-busting upsets become more common. Will a No. 12 seed take down a No. 5 again? Will a double-digit seed reach the Sweet 16? Tune in this weekend to find out, with coverage continuing across the four major networks and NCAA March Madness Live.
Sweet 16: March 27-28, 2025
The Sweet 16 arrives on March 27-28, 2025, reducing the field to 16 teams. This round shifts to regional sites, offering a more focused spotlight on the remaining contenders.
Sweet 16 Host Cities
- Newark, New Jersey (East Region)
- Atlanta, Georgia (South Region)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (Midwest Region)
- San Francisco, California (West Region)
The Sweet 16 is a fan favorite, blending elite programs with surprise teams that have defied the odds. Expect high-stakes games as teams vie for a spot in the Elite Eight. Coverage will be split between CBS and TBS, with streaming options available.
Elite Eight: March 29-30, 2025
The Elite Eight follows on March 29-30, 2025, determining the four teams that will advance to the Final Four. Held at the same regional sites as the Sweet 16, these games are the culmination of each region’s bracket.
The Elite Eight often produces some of the tournament’s most memorable moments—think overtime thrillers and last-second shots. By the end of March 30, the Final Four will be set, and the national championship picture will come into focus.
Final Four: April 5, 2025
The Final Four takes place on April 5, 2025, at the Alamo-dome in San Antonio, Texas. This marks the fifth time San Antonio has hosted the Final Four, with its vibrant atmosphere and massive venue (seating over 64,000) making it a perfect stage for the semifinals.
Two games will decide the national championship contenders, with tip times typically set for late afternoon and evening ET. The Final Four is a celebration of college basketball, drawing fans from across the country to witness history in the making. CBS will broadcast both games, with streaming on NCAA March Madness Live and Paramount+.
National Championship Game: April 7, 2025
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament concludes with the National Championship Game on April 7, 2025, also at the Alamo-dome in San Antonio. This prime time showdown, airing on CBS at approximately 9 p.m. ET, will crown the 2024-25 season’s national champion.
Will a blue-blood program like Kansas or North Carolina claim the title, or will a first-time winner emerge? The championship game is the pinnacle of March Madness, blending drama, skill, and emotion into one unforgettable night.
How to Watch the 2025 March Madness Tournament
The 2025 tournament is broadcast across four networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Every game is available live, with streaming options including:
- NCAA March Madness Live: Free access to all 67 games on mobile, desktop, and smart TVs (requires a TV provider login after a preview period).
- Paramount+: Streams CBS games live.
- Max: Covers TBS, TNT, and truTV broadcasts.
- Live TV Services: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV offer all four channels.
For cord-cutters, a digital antenna can pick up CBS games for free. The March Madness app also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring you stay connected on the go.
Key Storylines for 2025 March Madness
As the tournament progresses, several narratives are worth watching:
- Newcomers Making Waves: Teams like UC San Diego, High Point, and Omaha are making their tournament debuts. Can they pull off a Cinderella run?
- SEC Dominance: The SEC set a record with 14 teams in the field. Will the conference produce the champion?
- Upset Potential: Early-round games featuring Drake, Colorado State, and VCU are already popular upset picks.
- Top Seeds Under Pressure: No. 1 seeds Auburn, Houston, Florida, and Duke face high expectations—can they avoid stumbling?
These story lines, combined with the unpredictable nature of March Madness, ensure every game is a must-watch event.
Tips for Following the 2025 Tournament
- Fill Out a Bracket: Join a pool or play the NCAA Bracket Challenge Game to test your predictions.
- Stay Updated: Follow NCAA.com and the March Madness app for real-time scores and highlights.
- Plan Your Viewing: With games airing all day, prioritize key mashups or use DVR to catch up.
- Visit Host Cities: If you’re near a tournament site, grab tickets for a live experience.
Why March Madness 2025 Will Be Unforgettable
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be one for the ages. With a mix of traditional powerhouses, fresh faces, and a schedule packed with high-stakes games, fans are in for a treat. From the First Four in Dayton to the championship in San Antonio, every moment counts.
As we move through the First Round today, March 21, 2025, the excitement is only beginning. Bookmark this guide, set your reminders, and get ready for the madness—because in March, anything can happen. FOR MORE ARTICLE ON THIS CLICK HERE.
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