2026 First Four Schedule: Dates, Times, and TV (Dayton, OH)
The 2026 NCAA Tournament begins with the First Four on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The four opening-round games will feature a doubleheader each night, with coverage starting at approximately 6:30 PM ET on truTV. The winners of these matchups will advance to the main 64-team bracket starting Thursday, March 19.
2026 First Four Matchups & TV Broadcast Info
The University of Dayton has hosted the First Four since its inception in 2011, providing the essential “play-in” gateway for the tournament’s 68-team field. Each night features two games: typically one matchup between the two lowest-seeded at-large teams and one between the two lowest-ranked automatic qualifiers (Conference Champions).
First Four Event Schedule:
- Date: Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Location: University of Dayton Arena (Dayton, OH)
- First Game Tip-off: ~6:40 PM ET
- Second Game Tip-off: ~9:10 PM ET
- TV Channel: truTV
- Live Stream: Max (B/R Sports Add-on) / NCAA March Madness Live
Expert Note from the Sports Brackets Analyst: Don’t treat these as ‘meaningless’ play-in games. Since the First Four expanded to its current format, at least one winner has advanced to the Round of 32 in 12 of the last 14 tournaments. Teams like VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) even used a First Four victory to spark a run all the way to the Final Four. When updating your 2026 March Madness Bracket, look for high-major ‘At-Large’ teams in Dayton-they often have the depth to pull a first-round upset on short rest.
Why the First Four Matters in 2026
The First Four serves as the ultimate test for bubble teams and low-seeded auto-qualifiers. With Selection Sunday set for March 15 at 6:00 PM ET on CBS, the field of 68 will be revealed, and the eight teams heading to Dayton will be the four lowest at-large seeds and the four lowest automatic qualifiers (typically 16-seeds from smaller conferences). These games often feature high-stakes drama-teams fighting for their NCAA lives or automatic bids-and the winners get the shortest turnaround to the main bracket on March 19-20. In recent years, the First Four has produced memorable moments, including buzzer-beaters and Cinderella advances that shake up the entire tournament.
How to Watch & Follow
All First Four games air exclusively on truTV, with streaming available via Max (requires B/R Sports add-on) or the official NCAA March Madness Live app (free with TV provider login). For bracket updates, printable sheets, and projections once the field is set, bookmark SportsBrackets.net’s main March Madness hub. The full bracket releases post-Selection Sunday, so tune in March 15 for the official matchups.
Printable First Four & NCAA Tournament Bracket & Resources
Download our free printable 2026 First Four & NCAA Tournament bracket PDF here: Use it to fill in the projected or official teams once announced on Selection Sunday-perfect for office pools, family brackets, or tracking the opening chaos. We’ll update with live results and bracket progress as games unfold. The First Four kicks off the madness-stay locked in for March 17-18 action in Dayton!
