2026 March Madness: Key dates, schedule, locations, details to know for NCAA Men's Tournament
CBS Sports
by
Kyle Boone
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 NCAA Men's March Madness Tournament is set to begin soon, with key dates every basketball fan should mark on their calendar. The excitement kicks off on Selection Sunday, March 15, when the official 68-team bracket will be revealed. Fans can expect action-packed rounds leading up to the championship, starting with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, from March 17-18. The tournament will then progress through the First and Second Rounds in locations across the U.S., including Buffalo, NY; Greenville, SC; Oklahoma City, OK; Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; St. Louis, MO; Houston, TX; San Jose, CA; Chicago, IL; Washington, D.C.; and Indianapolis, IN.
The regional rounds will take place in Houston, TX (Toyota Center) for the South Region on March 26 & 28, San Jose, CA (SAP Center) for the West Region on March 26 & 28, Chicago, IL (United Center) for the Midwest Region on March 27 & 29, and Washington, D.C. (Capital One Arena) for the East Region on March 27 & 29. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight will be held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the Final Four on April 4 and the NCAA championship game scheduled for Monday, April 6.
Additionally, basketball enthusiasts should note that the transfer portal will open on April 7, following the conclusion of the championship game. This year marks a shorter window compared to previous years, signaling potential changes in team dynamics as players explore new opportunities post
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026