Story perspectives

March Madness 2026: Bracket Revealed, Action Starts Soon!

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

March Madness 2026 begins with Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET.
CBS reveals the 68-team bracket.
The tournament includes 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections.
First Four games run March 17–18, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio.
The Final Four and championship take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6, 2026.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament began in 1939 with eight teams and evolved significantly by 1985, expanding to 64 teams. That year, Villanova University, an eighth seed, achieved a historic upset by defeating top-seeded Georgetown 66-64, marking their first national championship. This transformation reflects the tournament's growing popularity and commercialization, culminating in today's March Madness with 68 teams and automatic qualifiers.

1 of 2

Story summary

March Madness 2026 begins with Selection Sunday on March 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET.
CBS reveals the 68-team bracket.
The tournament includes 31 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections.
First Four games run March 17–18, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio.
The Final Four and championship take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6, 2026.

1 / 2