2025 March Madness: Men’s NCAA tournament schedule, dates in 2025.
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The 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament, also known as March Madness, is set to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable basketball events of the year. With teams from across the United States competing for glory, the tournament promises to deliver edge-of-your-seat action, buzzer-beaters, and Cinderella stories that will go down in history. This tournament has been a fixture in the American sports calendar for decades, and as always, it is anticipated with great excitement.
As the 2025 edition of March Madness approaches, here’s a detailed guide to the schedule, dates, and everything fans need to know to follow the event, as well as the key moments to mark on their calendars.
Overview of the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament 2025 March Madness
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is the pinnacle of college basketball, featuring 68 teams competing for the national championship. The teams are selected based on their regular-season performance and conference championships, with 32 teams earning automatic bids by winning their respective conference tournaments and the remaining teams receiving at-large bids. The tournament is a single-elimination format, meaning that each team must win to continue to the next round, making every game crucial and filled with tension.
The tournament spans several weeks, beginning with Selection Sunday in mid-March and culminating in the National Championship game, typically played in early April. For fans, March Madness is synonymous with bracketology, buzzer-beaters, upsets, and the frenzied, nationwide excitement that surrounds each game.
Key Dates for the 2025 NCAA Tournament 2025 March Madness
The 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament schedule follows a set pattern, with specific dates assigned for the First Four, first round, second round, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, and the National Championship game. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates to keep track of:
Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025 2025 March Madness
Selection Sunday marks the official unveiling of the 68 teams selected for the tournament. On this day, the NCAA reveals the full bracket, showing the 32 automatic qualifiers, 36 at-large bids, and where each team will play in the tournament. Fans eagerly anticipate this day to find out which teams will be in their brackets, who will be the No. 1 seeds, and what matchups they can expect in the opening rounds. The bracket will also provide the chance for fans to fill out their brackets and join the fun of March Madness prediction pools.
First Four: March 19-20, 2025 2025 March Madness
The First Four games are the preliminary round of the tournament, held in Dayton, Ohio. These games feature the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers. These teams battle it out for the final four spots in the main bracket. While these games don’t always receive as much attention as later rounds, they often feature exciting basketball and are filled with underdog stories. These games can set the tone for the entire tournament, giving fans their first taste of the drama and excitement of March Madness.
Dates: 2025 March Madness
- March 19, 2025: First Four Games
- March 20, 2025: First Four Games
First Round: March 21-22, 2025 2025 March Madness
The first round is where the real action begins. With 64 teams remaining after the First Four, the first round is filled with intense matchups. All 32 games are scheduled for two days, March 21 and March 22, 2025. The first round features 16 games on each day, with teams seeded from 1 to 16 facing off against each other. The excitement of the first round stems from the potential for upsets, as lower-seeded teams look to pull off shocking victories and advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Dates:v 2025 March Madness
- March 21, 2025: First Round Games
- March 22, 2025: First Round Games
Second Round: March 23-24, 2025 2025 March Madness
After the chaos of the first round, the remaining 32 teams move on to the second round, with each team striving to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. The second round continues the fast-paced action with 16 games taking place over March 23 and March 24, 2025. The intensity ramps up as the stakes get higher and the number of teams in the field shrinks.
Dates:2025 March Madness
- March 23, 2025: Second Round Games
- March 24, 2025: Second Round Games
Sweet 16: March 28-29, 2025 2025 March Madness
The Sweet 16 is one of the most exciting stages of the tournament. The remaining 16 teams are now a mix of powerhouses, dark horses, and potential Cinderella stories. The games are filled with high stakes, and the atmosphere intensifies. This is where the tournament really starts to take shape, as elite teams battle for spots in the Elite Eight.
Dates: 2025 March Madness
- March 28, 2025: Sweet 16 Games
- March 29, 2025: Sweet 16 Games
Elite 8: March 30-31, 2025 2025 March Madness
The Elite 8 is the stage where teams make their final push toward the Final Four. Just eight teams remain, and every game feels like a championship battle. The intensity reaches new heights, as these teams have battled through adversity and are now just two wins away from playing for a national championship. This round is often filled with nail-biting finishes, buzzer-beaters, and the kind of drama that March Madness is known for.
Dates: 2025 March Madness
- March 30, 2025: Elite 8 Games
- March 31, 2025: Elite 8 Games
Final Four: April 5, 2025
The Final Four is the culmination of the tournament, where four teams remain in the hunt for the national championship. The excitement of the Final Four brings a sense of unity among fans and creates a spectacle that draws millions of viewers. The games are typically held at a neutral site, with the 2025 Final Four taking place in Houston, Texas. This is the point where legends are made, and the atmosphere is electric. Fans from all over the country come together to cheer on their teams as they make one final push for glory.
Date: 2025 March Madness
- April 5, 2025: Final Four Games
National Championship Game: April 7, 2025 2025 March Madness
The National Championship game is the most anticipated event in college basketball. The two remaining teams face off for the ultimate prize—the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. This game will feature the best players in the nation, and the stakes could not be higher. The National Championship game is played at a neutral site, typically in a major sports arena with a capacity for tens of thousands of fans. It’s the culmination of all the drama, passion, and excitement that has unfolded throughout the tournament. Only one team will be crowned champion, but both will have earned their place in history.
Date: 2025 March Madness
- April 7, 2025: National Championship Game
How to Watch the 2025 NCAA Tournament 2025 March Madness
The 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament will be broadcasted by CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. These networks will provide extensive coverage of the tournament, including live broadcasts of every game, expert analysis, and pre- and post-game coverage. Games will also be available for streaming on platforms such as March Madness Live, CBS Sports, and other digital outlets, allowing fans to follow their teams no matter where they are.
For those who want to follow the tournament on the go, NCAA and network apps will provide live game updates, highlights, and streaming options. Social media will also be buzzing with news, scores, and commentary as fans around the country discuss every upset, game-winning shot, and Cinderella story that unfolds.
Potential Storylines and Key Teams to Watch 2025 March Madness
As always, the 2025 NCAA Tournament will be full of storylines that capture the imagination of fans. Some of the most intriguing angles for the tournament include:
- Top Seeds and Championship Contenders: Traditional powerhouses like Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina are expected to be among the top seeds in 2025. These teams consistently perform well in the tournament and are always in the mix for a deep run.
- Cinderella Teams: Every year, the tournament produces an underdog team that makes a surprising run to the Sweet 16, Elite 8, or even beyond. Look for mid-major schools or lower-seeded teams to pull off big upsets.
- Player Performances: The 2025 tournament will feature some of the best college basketball players in the country. Watch for standout players like projected lottery picks, All-Americans, and high-flying point guards who could make a name for themselves during the tournament.
- Coaching Strategy: The NCAA Tournament is as much about coaching as it is about players. Legendary coaches like Coach K (if still coaching), Bill Self, or Tom Izzo will be under the spotlight, strategizing to lead their teams to a national title.
Conclusion 2025 March Madness
The 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament promises to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in the history of March Madness. With high stakes, talented teams, and intense competition, the tournament will captivate basketball fans across the nation. Be sure to mark your calendars for the key dates, and prepare to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of college basketball as teams battle for supremacy on the road to the National Championship. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a casual observer, the 2025 NCAA Tournament will offer something for everyone.
