The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is set to be another thrilling chapter in college basketball history. With the road to the Final Four mapped out, here’s everything you need to know about the dates, locations, schedule, and additional details for the 2025 tournament.
2025 NCAA printable bracket, schedule for March Madness https://t.co/T209YrF3sk pic.twitter.com/fmjo05hwip
— Kelly Morgan (@TestTwi25) January 12, 2025
Key Dates and Schedule
Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025 on CBS
The 68-team bracket will be announced, setting the stage for one of the most exciting events in sports. The Selection Committee will reveal the seeds and matchups, with fans eagerly awaiting the fate of their favorite teams.
First Four: March 18-19, 2025
Location: Dayton, Ohio
The tournament officially tips off with the First Four games, featuring the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams. These games determine who advances to the main bracket.
First and Second Rounds: March 20-23, 2025
Locations:
Lexington, Kentucky
Providence, Rhode Island
Seattle, Washington
Wichita, Kansas
Cleveland, Ohio
Denver, Colorado
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Raleigh, North Carolina
The first weekend of the tournament is a basketball bonanza, with 32 games played across the country. Teams will battle to advance to the Sweet 16.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight (Regionals): March 27-30, 2025
East Regional: Newark, New Jersey
South Regional: Atlanta, Georgia
Midwest Regional: Indianapolis, Indiana
West Regional: San Francisco, California
The stakes get higher as teams compete for a spot in the Final Four. These regional semifinals and finals are often where Cinderella stories either shine or come to an end.
Final Four and National Championship: April 5 and 7, 2025
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
The Final Four will see the remaining teams vie for the national title. The semifinals take place on April 5, with the championship game on April 7 crowning the 2025 NCAA champion. San Antonio will host the Final Four for the fifth time, showcasing its rich basketball history and fan-friendly atmosphere. Kentucky fans know San Antonio all too well as they won the National Title there.
Tournament Overview
The 2025 tournament will mark the 86th edition of March Madness, featuring 68 teams in a single-elimination format to determine the NCAA Division I men’s basketball national champion for the 2024-25 season. A total of 31 automatic bids will be awarded to conference tournament winners, while the remaining 37 at-large bids will be determined by the NCAA Selection Committee on Selection Sunday. The committee will also seed the entire field from 1 to 68, setting up the matchups.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
Television Rights: CBS Sports and TNT Sports hold the U.S. television rights for the tournament. CBS will televise the Final Four and national championship game as part of their broadcast cycle.
Streaming Options: Fans can stream games via NCAA March Madness Live, with CBS games available for free on digital media players. Access to other games requires TV Everywhere authentication through providers.
Hulu
Youtube TV
Fubo
Sling
The March Madness app will also offer features like multiview, allowing fans to watch multiple games simultaneously, and Fast Break, providing whiparound coverage similar to NFL RedZone during the first weekend.
Key Storylines to Watch
SEC Dominance: The SEC is expected to be a powerhouse once again, with several teams likely to be highly seeded. The conference’s depth will be a major talking point throughout the tournament.
Cinderella Stories: Every year, March Madness delivers unexpected upsets and underdog runs. Keep an eye on the 12-seed vs. 5-seed matchups, which have historically been ripe for surprises.
Final Four Venue: San Antonio’s Alamodome is no stranger to hosting big games, having previously been the stage for memorable championship moments. Its selection as the 2025 host ensures a vibrant atmosphere for the culmination of the tournament.
Historical Context: Last season, UConn won its second consecutive national title, defeating Purdue in the championship game. As teams gear up for 2025, the quest to dethrone the Huskies—or for UConn to make history with a three-peat—will be a major storyline.
Host Cities: The NCAA prioritizes geographic distribution, community impact, and previous hosting experience when selecting tournament sites. This ensures fans across the country have access to games and that host cities can handle the influx of visitors.
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises to deliver the excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments that make March Madness a staple of American sports culture. From Selection Sunday to the crowning of a national champion, college basketball fans are in for a treat. Mark your calendars and get ready for the madness! Stay here for all the latest news.