NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025 Dates & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · September 13, 2053

The NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025, also known as March Madness, is scheduled to begin with the First Four games on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and will culminate with the National Championship game on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This 68-team single-elimination tournament features college basketball’s top programs competing for the national title.

What Is the NCAA Tournament?

The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the United States. Known for its unpredictability and excitement, the tournament draws millions of viewers each year. Officially branded as March Madness, it involves a 68-team field selected through automatic bids (conference champions) and at-large selections by the NCAA Selection Committee.

Key Facts About the 2025 Tournament

Official Name: NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship
Common Name: March Madness
Number of Teams: 68
Tournament Format: Single-elimination
Host Cities: Games held across multiple U.S. cities, final in San Antonio
Governing Body: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

2025 NCAA Tournament Schedule

The tournament spans four rounds before the Final Four, followed by the national semifinals and championship. Below is the official schedule for the 2025 event:

Round	Dates	Location(s)	Games
First Four	March 18–19, 2025	Dayton, OH	4
First Round	March 20–23, 2025	Indianapolis, IN; Denver, CO; Memphis, TN; Portland, OR	32
Second Round	March 21–24, 2025	Same as First Round	32
Regional Semifinals (Sweet 16)	March 27–28, 2025	Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Phoenix, AZ; Detroit, MI	8
Regional Finals (Elite Eight)	March 29–30, 2025	Same as Sweet 16	4
Final Four	April 5, 2025	San Antonio, TX (Alamodome)	2
National Championship	April 7, 2025	San Antonio, TX (Alamodome)	1

Table data source:1, 2

The 2025 tournament follows the traditional progression from First Four play-in games to the grand finale in San Antonio. Dayton once again hosts the opening round, while major markets like Indianapolis, Denver, and Portland host early-round action. The geographic distribution ensures broad national engagement. San Antonio, a frequent host, returns as the site for the Final Four and title game, offering a capacity crowd of over 65,000 at the Alamodome.

How Are Teams Selected?

Selection Sunday, set for March 16, 2025, marks the announcement of all 68 teams. The NCAA Selection Committee evaluates teams based on several criteria:

Win-loss record
Strength of schedule (SOS)
Net ranking (NET)
Quality wins and bad losses
Conference tournament performance

Automatic bids go to the 32 conference champions, while the remaining 36 teams receive at-large bids. The committee seeds teams from 1 to 16 in four regions, aiming for balanced competition.

Where to Watch the 2025 NCAA Tournament

All games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with live streaming available via NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+, and Max. International fans can access coverage through ESPN International and regional sports networks.

Primary Broadcasters: CBS, Turner Sports (TBS, TNT, truTV)
Streaming Platforms: NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+, Max
Live Updates: NCAA.com, ESPN App, Bleacher Report

Frequently Asked Questions About the NCAA Tournament 2025

When is Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

Selection Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, March 16, 2025. On this day, the NCAA Selection Committee reveals the full 68-team bracket during a live television broadcast starting at 6:00 PM ET on CBS.

Where is the 2025 NCAA Championship Game?

The 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, April 7, 2025. This marks the seventh time San Antonio has hosted the final game.

How many teams are in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

The 2025 NCAA Tournament includes 68 teams. Of these, 32 earn automatic qualification by winning their conference tournaments, and 36 receive at-large bids selected by the NCAA Committee.

What is the First Four in the NCAA Tournament?

The First Four consists of four play-in games held in Dayton, Ohio, on March 18 and 19, 2025. These games determine the final four spots in the main 64-team bracket, typically involving the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams.

Which teams are favorites to win the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

As of early 2025, projected favorites include Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, UConn, and Tennessee, based on preseason rankings and roster strength. However, true favorites will emerge after conference play and Selection Sunday seeding.