When does March Madness start? 2025 NCAA Tournament schedule, key dates, hosts
It's the middle of March, but the true madness has yet to commence. How is that possible?
Despite some automatic bids already locked up and the major men's conference tournaments in full swing, we're still about a week out from the start of the NCAA Tournament. But Selection Sunday is just days away, fans can almost taste the latest edition of the greatest playoff in American sports.
However, until then, all we can do is wait, process, and try to predict who will come out on top. Here are the key dates to be aware of as we approach the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
When is Selection Sunday?
Both the men's and women's brackets will be announced during exclusive selection shows on Sunday, March 16, with the men's set to begin at 6 p.m. ET on CBS and the women's at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Both selections shows can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
When does the 2025 NCAA Tournament begin?
Both tournaments will begin with the First Four matchups. The men's side will play their games on March 18 and 19 at the University of Dayton.
The women's First Four will begin a day later, with all four games taking place between March 19 and 20.
Dates for each round
Men's tournament
- First Four: March 18 - 19
- Round of 64: March 20 - 21
- Round of 32: March 22 - 23
- Sweet 16: March 27 - 28
- Elite Eight: March 29 - 30
- Final Four: April 5
- NCAA Championship: April 7
Women's tournament
- First Four: March 19 - 20
- Round of 64: March 21 - 22
- Round of 32: March 23 - 24
- Sweet 16: March 28 - 29
- Elite Eight: March 30 - 31
- Final Four: April 4
- NCAA Championship: April 6
Who is hosting each round?
Men's tournament
- First Four: University of Dayton
- Round of 64: University of Kentucky; Providence College; University of Washington; Wichita State University; Rocket Arena in Cleveland; Ball Arena in Denver; Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee; Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
- Round of 32: University of Kentucky; Providence College; University of Washington; Wichita State University; Rocket Arena in Cleveland; Ball Arena in Denver; Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee; Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
- Sweet 16: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- Elite Eight: Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; Chase Center in San Francisco; State Farm Arena in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- Final Four: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA Championship: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
Women's tournament
- First Four: TBD/top seeds will host
- Round of 64: TBD/top seeds will host
- Round of 32: TBD/top seeds will host
- Sweet 16: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington
- Elite Eight: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, and Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Washington
- Final Four: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
- NCAA Championship: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
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