- Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025 – Full 68-team bracket revealed on CBS.
- First Four: March 18–19 in Dayton, Ohio.
- First/Second Rounds: March 20–23 at venues nationwide, including Rupp Arena (KY) and Climate Pledge Arena (WA).
- Sweet 16 & Elite Eight: March 27–30 in Newark, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Indianapolis.
- Final Four & Championship: April 5 & 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.
Where to Watch: Games will air on CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV, and via the NCAA March Madness Live app. Use platforms like BettorEdge to manage your brackets and pools for added fun.
Stay tuned for thrilling games, bracket challenges, and unforgettable moments. Let’s dive in!
Complete Tournament Schedule
Tournament Timeline
The 2025 tournament begins on March 16 with Selection Sunday, when CBS announces the 68-team lineup . The action kicks off with the First Four games on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio, where eight teams battle for four spots in the main bracket. From there, the tournament moves to the First Round (March 20-21) and Second Round (March 22-23). The excitement continues with the Sweet 16 (March 27-28) and Elite Eight (March 29-30), leading up to the Final Four on April 5. The National Championship will take place on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Below is a breakdown of the venues hosting the games.
Game Locations
The 2025 tournament will feature games in arenas across the United States, giving fans plenty of chances to catch the action live. Here's a quick look at the key locations and dates:
Round | Notable Venues | Dates |
First Four | UD Arena (Dayton, OH) | March 18-19 |
First/Second Rounds | Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY), Amica Mutual Pavilion (Providence, RI), Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA), Intrust Bank Arena (Wichita, KS), Rocket Arena (Cleveland, OH), Ball Arena (Denver, CO), Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee, WI), Lenovo Center (Raleigh, NC) | March 20-23 |
Regional Finals | Prudential Center (Newark, NJ); Chase Center (San Francisco, CA); State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA); Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN) | East & West: March 27-29; South & Midwest: March 28-30 |
Final Four & Championship | Alamodome (San Antonio, TX) | Final Four: April 5; Championship: April 7 |
With games spread across iconic venues like Rupp Arena and cutting-edge arenas like the Chase Center, fans from all regions can join in on the March Madness excitement. From coast to coast, these locations are set to host some of the most thrilling moments in college basketball.
How to Follow March Madness
Where to Watch
March Madness games will be broadcast across multiple networks, ensuring fans can catch all the action. Here's a breakdown of where to tune in for each stage of the 2025 NCAA tournament:
Tournament Stage | Broadcasting Networks |
Selection Show | CBS |
First Four | TruTV |
First & Second Rounds | CBS, TBS, TNT, TruTV |
Sweet 16 & Elite Eight | CBS, TBS, TruTV |
Final Four & Championship | CBS |
For updates and projections throughout the tournament, check out ESPN's Joe Lunardi's Bracketology . You can also download printable or interactive brackets from NCAA.com to keep track of your picks and team progress. Want to dive deeper? Join interactive bracket pools for an even more engaging experience.
Bracket Pool Guide
BettorEdge offers a great way to host your March Madness bracket pools. Whether you're setting up an office pool or competing with friends, the platform's features make it easy to manage everything. Here's why BettorEdge is worth considering:
- Easy Management: Handles tasks like dues collection, payouts, and tracking results.
- Affordable: With No fees on bracket pools means more prize money goes to the winners.
- Community Features: Connect with friends, follow popular picks, and engage with other basketball fans.
If you're into conference tournaments leading up to March Madness, BettorEdge also supports brackets for major conferences like the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Arch Madness, and Big Twelve. It's a great way to extend the fun before the main event begins.
Fan Guide
Attending Games
Planning to attend the 2025 March Madness games? Here’s what you need to know about tickets and preparation.
Ticket pricing varies by round:
- First Four: $40
- First/Second Rounds: $250–$350
- Regional Rounds: Around $500
- Final Four: Starting at $230
- Championship: From $156
For early rounds, you might find better deals on game day. If you’re eyeing Final Four tickets, buying before the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds often saves money.
Helpful tips to make your experience smooth:
- Make sure to download your mobile ticket - venues only accept digital entry.
- Check venue policies for parking and bag restrictions ahead of time.
- Secure parking passes early (Final Four parking starts at $15).
- Book your stay through Marriott Bonvoy for added convenience.
- Keep an eye on event updates for any last-minute changes.
Watching the games live is exciting, but pairing it with a solid bracket strategy can make the tournament even more enjoyable.
Bracket Strategy
Want to boost your chances in the office pool? Here’s how to approach your bracket like a pro.
Set up your pool: Platforms like BettorEdge make it easy with automated scoring, real-time updates, customizable rules, and simple sharing options.
Research and find balance:
- Look at regular season records and conference tournament results.
- Combine a few upset picks with reliable favorites.
- Factor in historical tournament performance to guide your choices.
- Use tracking tools to tweak your picks as the tournament unfolds.
Tournament tips to stay ahead:
- Attend free open practices at venues to get insights into team dynamics.
- Follow live scores and standings through automated systems.
- Adjust future strategies based on how your bracket performs.
Free open practices are not just fun - they’re a chance to scout teams and soak in the atmosphere. This can improve your game-day experience and give you an edge in predicting outcomes.
2025 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: March Madness Predictions
Key Points to Remember
Here’s a quick rundown of the key details for March Madness 2025:
Tournament Timeline:
- Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS
- First Four: March 18-19
- Main Tournament: March 20 through April 7
- Championship Game: April 7
How to Watch: You can catch all the action across several platforms, including:
- The NCAA March Madness Live app
- CBS/Paramount+
- Streaming services from cable networks
Regional Finals Locations: The tournament’s regional finals will take place in these cities:
- Newark (East)
- San Francisco (West)
- Atlanta (South)
- Indianapolis (Midwest)
Bracket Management: For , BettorEdge offers an easy-to-use, fee-free platform.
Pro Tip: The odds of creating a perfect bracket are astronomically low - ranging from 1 in 120 billion to 1 in 9.2 quintillion. But don’t let that stop you! Participating in bracket pools makes the tournament even more exciting. Be sure to download the NCAA March Madness Live app to stay on top of every game , and check out our bracket strategy section for tips to boost your chances.