Where to watch March Madness First Four games: TV channel, live stream, more
The First Four of the 2025 March Madness Tournament gets underway on Tuesday. Here's where to watch the games, both on TV and streaming options.
The madness of March gets underway Tuesday with the First Four.
The first night of the 2025 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:40 p.m. ET with a one-of-a-kind play-in tournament at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio that is the First Four, which is in its 14th year of the March Madness format.
Those who have taken the trip to the First Four this year include American, Mount St. Mary's, Alabama State, Saint Francis, San Diego State, North Carolina, Texas and Xavier.
The winners of the First Four games will advance to the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Only two First Four teams have advanced from the First Four to the Final Four since its installment in 2011.
Here's what you need to know on where to watch the First Four, including tip-off time information, streaming platform information and more. Let the madness begin!
What channel is the First Four on tonight?
- TV channel: truTV
Both nights of the First Four for the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament will be broadcast nationally on truTV with Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Jon Rothstein (sideline reporter) on the call.
Watch select March Madness games with Sling TV
How to stream the First Four of March Madness
- Streaming options: March Madness Live app | Sling TV
Streaming options for the First Four for the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament include the March Madness Live app (with a TV login) and Sling TV, which carries truTV and the Warner Bros. Discovery networks.
March Madness First Four Schedule 2025
- Dates: Tuesday, March 18 through Wednesday, March 19
- Times: 6:40 p.m. ET | 9:10 p.m. ET
- Location: UD Arena (Dayton, Ohio)
The First Four of the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament will take place across Tuesday, March 18 through Wednesday, March 19 from UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The first game of each night will start at 6:40 p.m. ET, with the second game starting at approximately 9:10 p.m. ET.
Here's a breakdown of the First Four schedule for the 2025 NCAA Tournament:
Tuesday, March 18
- Game 1: (16) Alabama State vs. (16) Saint Francis | 6:40 p.m. ET
- Game 2: (11) North Carolina vs. (11) San Diego State | 9:10 p.m. ET
Wednesday, March 19
- Game 3: (16) Mount St. Mary's vs. (16) American | 6:40 p.m. ET
- Game 4: (11) Xavier vs. (11) Texas | 9:10 p.m. ET
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