March Madness is a highly awaited and widely viewed event in the sports calendar. Below is a comprehensive overview of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, which has been a tradition since 1939.
What is March Madness?
The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament consists of a single-elimination format featuring 68 teams competing over seven rounds for the title of national champion. The second-to-last round, known as the Final Four, features the last four remaining teams.
What (and when) is Selection Sunday?
Selection Sunday marks the day when the Selection Committee unveils the complete NCAA tournament bracket, detailing all the participating teams and their respective seedings. This article is updated annually with information on Selection Sunday’s date and how viewers can follow the bracket announcement live.
When is this year’s March Madness men’s tournament?
Here’s the schedule for this season’s 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament:
- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Where can I get an NCAA bracket?
You can download a printable .PDF of the NCAA bracket. It will open in a new tab or window. Alternatively, you can view the official interactive bracket here.
When did March Madness start?
The first NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament occurred in 1939, and it has taken place annually up until the 2019-20 season. The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How has the tournament changed since 1939?
The inaugural tournament featured only eight teams, with Oregon defeating Ohio State 46-33 to win the championship. The tournament expanded over the years, first increasing to 16 teams in 1951, and eventually to a modern format of 64 teams starting in 1985. In 2001, the introduction of automatic bids increased the total number of teams to 65, leading to the addition of a preliminary round called the First Four. By 2011, the format evolved again to include 68 teams.
