A full guide to the 2025 March Madness schedule

Over three action-packed weeks, 68 teams will battle for the national title, culminating in the championship game on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

As the tournament unfolds, fans can look forward to edge-of-your-seat moments that define March Madness. Below is a complete schedule breakdown, along with insights into how this year's event can deliver an even better experience to its audience (you included).

2025 March Madness Schedule

The actual tournament does not start until Selection Sunday, broadcast by CBS on March 16, at 6 p.m. This is when the entire bracket is announced, the seeding is official, and the teams discover which opponents they will be facing. The tournament then moves on to several rounds, culminating with the national title game.

First Four: March 18-19

Prior to the start of the main bracket, the tournament kicks off with the First Four—a series of four games where the lowest-seeded at-large teams go head to head with the four lowest-seeded automatic bids. The results decide the last teams who will be joining the Round of 64.

• Location: University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio
• Format: Four matches among eight teams competing for a place in the first round

First and Second Rounds: March 20-23

The tournament really gets underway with the First Round (March 20-21) and Second Round (March 22-23). During this period, 64 teams will be whittled down to 16 as the field is narrowed.

The initial two rounds consistently produce some of the tournament's most exciting moments. Cinderella stories are born when lower seeds pull off unbelievable upsets, and powerhouse programs battle to stave off early elimination. With games on several regional sites, one must be kept informed. You can track the latest March Madness updates through NCAA websites, sports networks, and live game trackers by fans in order to stay connected with changing matchups, outstanding performances, and surprising bracket-busting outcomes

First Round (March 20-21): 32 games, with all the teams playing their first game

Second Round (March 22-23): The winners advance, reducing the field to 16

These rounds are usually full of guts and glory tales, as the lower-seeded teams set out to record shock upsets over national powerhouses. Teams play games at a number of regional sites, including:

• Brooklyn, New York (Barclays Center)
• Charlotte, North Carolina (Spectrum Center)
• Indianapolis, Indiana (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
• Memphis, TN (FedExForum)
• Omaha, Nebraska (CHI Health Center)
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PPG Paints Arena)
• Salt Lake City, Utah (Delta Center)
• Spokane, Washington (Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena)

Sweet 16: March 27-28

• Boston, Massachusetts (TD Garden)
• Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center)
• Detroit, MI (Little Caesars Arena)
• Los Angeles, California (Crypto.com Arena)

Elite Eight: March 29-30

The Elite Eight features the final two teams from each region competing for a spot in the Final Four. The intensity reaches its peak as, at this point, teams are just one win away from playing for a national championship.

Final Four: April 5 (Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas)

Champions are made during the Final Four stage. The last four teams standing will fight it out in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome, with a bid to the national championship game on the line.

• Semifinal 1: Champion of Region A vs. Champion of Region B>
• Semifinal 2: Champion of Region C vs. Champion of Region D

Expect legendary performances, clutch moments, and college basketball excitement galore.

NCAA Championship Game: April 7 (Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

The tournament concludes with the NCAA Championship Game on April 7. The remaining two teams will fight it out for the ultimate prize, with one school cutting down the nets as national champions.

Maximizing the Fan Experience

March Madness is more than just a tournament, it is an experience. Either watching or being present, there are plenty of means to stay engaged.

With multiple games happening simultaneously, staying on top of the schedule is crucial. Fans can rely on NCAA apps and live updates to ensure they don't miss a single critical matchup. Another way to amplify the excitement is through bracket challenges, which turn every game into a high-stakes event.

Whether competing with friends, coworkers, or joining national contests, filling out a bracket makes every game count, even for those without a specific team to root for. This way, every upset and buzzer-beater becomes a thrilling moment to savor.

For those fortunate enough to be present in person, there is more to San Antonio than basketball and the Alamodome. The Final Four Fan Fest and open team practices give fans the opportunity to experience the atmosphere live.

Betting has also become a major part of the March Madness experience for many fans. Platforms like FanDuel provide insights, data, and odds that help bettors analyze matchups and identify value in different games. Keeping up with FanDuel NCAAB odds can offer perspective on which teams are favored, potential upsets, and how betting lines shift throughout the tournament - and can be a great value-add to your March Madness experience.

Dive Into the Madness

March Madness 2025 will be weeks of exciting competition, stunning upsets, and forever memorable moments. The tournament schedule is set to deliver a wild ride from the First Four through the National Championship Game. From attending games in person to completing a bracket to watching every game from home, it's the best time of the year to be a college basketball fan.