NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025 Dates and Schedule

By Sarah Miller · March 15, 2042

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament 2025, also known as March Madness, will begin on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with Selection Sunday on March 16, and conclude with the National Championship game on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

What Is the NCAA Basketball Tournament?

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament is a single-elimination tournament featuring 68 college basketball teams competing for the national championship. Known as March Madness, the event captivates fans across the U.S. each spring with upsets, buzzer-beaters, and dramatic finishes.

Key Facts About the 2025 Tournament

Official name: NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship
Number of teams: 68
Tournament format: Single-elimination
Dates: March 18 – April 7, 2025
Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025
First Four: Dayton, Ohio
National Championship Game: April 7, 2025
Host City: San Antonio, Texas (Alamodome)

2025 NCAA Tournament Schedule Breakdown

The tournament unfolds over three weekends, starting with preliminary games and culminating in the Final Four and title game.

Key Dates and Events

March 16, 2025 (Sunday): Selection Sunday – Teams are announced and seeded.
March 18–19, 2025: First Four – Play-in games in Dayton, Ohio.
March 20–23, 2025: First and Second Rounds – Hosted at multiple sites including Sacramento, Milwaukee, and Boston.
March 27–30, 2025: Regional Semifinals and Finals (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight) – Cities include Atlanta, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Spokane.
April 5, 2025 (Saturday): Final Four – Alamodome, San Antonio.
April 7, 2025 (Monday): National Championship Game – Alamodome, San Antonio.

Host Cities and Venues for 2025

The 2025 tournament spans 13 cities across the United States. The marquee events—Final Four and National Championship—are held in San Antonio, returning to the Alamodome for the first time since 2018.

Event	City	Venue	Dates
First Four	Dayton, OH	UD Arena	Mar 18–19
First/Second Round	Sacramento, CA	Golden 1 Center	Mar 20–23
First/Second Round	Milwaukee, WI	Fiserv Forum	Mar 20–23
First/Second Round	Boston, MA	TD Garden	Mar 20–23
First/Second Round	Tucson, AZ	Footprint Center	Mar 20–23
Regional (Sweet 16 & Elite Eight)	Atlanta, GA	State Farm Arena	Mar 27–30
Regional (Sweet 16 & Elite Eight)	Anaheim, CA	Intuit Dome	Mar 27–30
Regional (Sweet 16 & Elite Eight)	Pittsburgh, PA	PPG Paints Arena	Mar 27–30
Regional (Sweet 16 & Elite Eight)	Spokane, WA	Spokane Arena	Mar 27–30
Final Four & Championship	San Antonio, TX	Alamodome	Apr 5 & 7

Table data source:1, 2

The 2025 tournament features new venues like Intuit Dome in Anaheim, California, which is opening in 2025 and will host its first NCAA games. San Antonio returns after an absence, highlighting the NCAA’s rotation strategy among major arenas. Geographic diversity ensures broad fan access and regional engagement.

How Teams Qualify for March Madness

Of the 68 teams, 32 earn automatic bids by winning their conference tournaments. The remaining 36 receive at-large bids selected by the NCAA Selection Committee based on metrics like NET rankings, strength of schedule, and key wins.

Selection Committee Criteria

NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) ranking
Quad 1, 2, 3, and 4 win breakdown
Non-conference strength of schedule
Performance in last 10–12 games
Home vs. road record
Injuries and roster changes

History and Significance of March Madness

Since its inception in 1939, the NCAA Tournament has grown into one of the most-watched sporting events in the U.S. The 2024 championship drew over 18 million viewers. The tournament generates over $1 billion annually in TV revenue and fuels widespread bracket challenges in offices and online platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NCAA Basketball Tournament 2025

When is Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

Selection Sunday is on March 16, 2025. The full 68-team bracket will be revealed live on CBS at 6:00 PM ET.

Where is the 2025 NCAA Championship game being held?

The 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, April 7, 2025.

How many teams are in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

The 2025 NCAA Tournament includes 68 teams. This consists of 32 automatic qualifiers and 36 at-large selections chosen by the NCAA Selection Committee.

What time does the 2025 NCAA Championship game start?

The 2025 National Championship game is scheduled to tip off at approximately 9:20 PM Eastern Time on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

How can I watch the NCAA Tournament 2025?

The 2025 NCAA Tournament will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Games are also streamed live via NCAA March Madness Live, Paramount+, and Max with a valid TV provider login.