With the Super Bowl now a thing of the past, we are just a stone’s throw away from the much-anticipated month of March – a time when American sports enthusiasts gear up for the exhilarating men’s and women’s college basketball national championship tournaments, popularly known as March Madness.
March Madness is that thrilling occasion when 68 teams for both men and women enter the single-elimination battleground, with merely six games standing between them and everlasting glory. It’s a stage where breakout stars emerge, Cinderella stories unfold, and the possibility of witnessing a flawless bracket remains ever-present, all woven together in a captivating spectacle that keeps fans at the edge of their seats.
So, when exactly does this spectacular event kick off? When will we be graced with the next chapter of this iconic tournament? Could the UConn Huskies clinch their third consecutive men’s championship, joining the exclusive ranks of just one other program in history to achieve such a remarkable feat (UCLA, 1967-73)? And will Dawn Staley lead South Carolina to its third women’s title in four years?
Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the essential dates you need to mark on your calendar for the 2025 March Madness tournaments:
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When is Selection Sunday?
Traditionally, the Sunday prior to the tournament’s commencement is the eagerly awaited day when fans discover which teams have secured the chance to compete for a national title. This year, the unveiling of both the men’s and women’s brackets is scheduled for March 16, two days before the launch of the men’s tournament and three days before the commencement of the women’s tournament.
Full men’s March Madness schedule:
Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
First Four: March 18-19
First round: March 20-21
Second round: March 22-23
Sweet 16: March 27-28
Elite Eight: March 29-30
Final Four: April 5
Championship: April 7
Where will men’s tournament games be played?
The prestigious Final Four and championship games will grace the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The First Four games are set to take place in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, the first- and second-round matches will be hosted in various cities including Lexington, Kentucky; Providence, Rhode Island; Wichita, Kansas; Denver; Seattle; Cleveland; Milwaukee; and Raleigh, North Carolina. As the competition progresses, the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds will be held in Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Francisco, and Newark, New Jersey.
Full women’s March Madness schedule:
Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
First Four: March 19-20
First round: March 21-22
Second round: March 23-24
Sweet 16: March 28-29
