How to run your 2026 March Madness pool: Play for prizes, create your NCAA Tournament game

CBS Sports
by Ryan Wooden
March 2, 2026
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How to run your 2026 March Madness pool: Play for prizes, create your NCAA Tournament game
March Madness excitement is heating up as fans prepare for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. CBS Sports has reintroduced its tools for organizing March Madness pools, perfect for enhancing your viewing experience with friends and family. Whether you're a seasoned bracket expert or new to the game, setting up a pool on CBS Sports is an easy way to add some competitive fun to the tournament. With options to create either open or locked pools, participants can customize their experience and compete for prizes, including trips to future Final Fours. For those looking to join or create a men's or women's bracket challenge, CBS Sports offers free participation in its NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenges. The men's challenge deadline is March 19, while the women's challenge runs until March 20. Participants can either fill out their brackets after the Selection Show on March 15 or import an existing bracket from a pool they've already created. This year, Duke and UConn remain strong favorites, with Duke aiming for its sixth national title and UConn eyeing its 13th. The article highlights key teams to watch, such as Michigan, which has shown resilience this season despite setbacks. Head coach Dusty May's turnaround led
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/2/2026