The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket will be officially revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026. The selection show typically begins at 6:00 PM ET and is broadcast live on CBS. During the broadcast, the selection committee will unveil the full 68-team field, including the four regions, all seeds, and the “First Four” matchups in Dayton.
2026 March Madness Selection Show Details:
- Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM CT
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Paramount+ / NCAA March Madness Live
- Bracket Release: A printable PDF bracket will be available on SportsBrackets.net immediately following the show.
Expert Note from the Sports Brackets Analyst: Pay close attention to the ‘Last Four In’ during the broadcast. In 2026, with the expansion of several major conferences, the bubble is more crowded than ever. History shows that teams playing in the First Four in Dayton often have a momentum advantage; since 2011, at least one First Four team has advanced to the Round of 32 in nearly every tournament.
Full 2026 March Madness Schedule
Once the NCAA Tournament selections are finalized on March 15, the tournament follows this accelerated schedule leading to Indianapolis:
- First Four: March 17-18 (Dayton, OH)
- First Round: March 19-20
- Second Round: March 21-22
- Sweet 16: March 26-27
- Elite Eight: March 28-29
- Final Four: Saturday, April 4 (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)
- National Championship: Monday, April 6
College Basketball Postseason Resources
- Championship Week 2026 – All Conference Tournaments Guide
- Printable 2026 March Madness Bracket
