March Madness Survival Guide: When Does It Start?

When does March Madness start is one of the most searched sports questions every spring — and for good reason. Here are the fast answers:

Every March, 68 college basketball teams collide in a single-elimination gauntlet that turns casual fans into bracket obsessives overnight. One bad bounce, one buzzer-beater — and a team's season is over.

For sports fans in Los Angeles, it's also one of the best excuses to gather around a table loaded with great local food. Whether you're hosting a watch party or catching games at a neighborhood spot, knowing exactly when the tournament tips off helps you plan ahead.

The 2026 edition is the 87th NCAA men's tournament — and between upsets, Cinderella stories, and the sheer volume of games, there's a lot to keep track of.

This guide breaks down every key date, location, and broadcast detail so you're never caught off guard.

When does march madness start terms explained:

The madness officially begins on March 17, 2026. While many fans consider the "real" start to be the first full Thursday of games, the NCAA officially marks the beginning with the First Four. This 2026 edition represents the 87th time the men’s tournament has captivated the nation, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1939.

The journey to the Big Dance actually starts much earlier in the month with "Champ Week," where 31 conferences hold their own tournaments to crown a champion. These winners receive automatic bids, while the remaining 37 "at-large" spots are filled by the selection committee. You can find more about the official NCAA host site selections to see how the road to the Final Four is paved years in advance.

For the men’s side, the action tips off with the First Four on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18. Since 2001, the University of Dayton Arena in Ohio has served as the traditional home for these opening games.

These matchups feature the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams. It’s a high-stakes introduction to the tournament—win and you move into the main bracket of 64; lose and your season ends before the first weekend even begins. Following these games, the Round of 64 (the First Round) begins in earnest on Thursday, March 19.

The women’s tournament begins just one day later, with the First Four games scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, and Thursday, March 19. Unlike the men's tournament, which uses a neutral site for the opening games, the women's First Four and early rounds are often hosted at the home sites of the higher-seeded teams, creating an incredible atmosphere for the student-athletes.

The women's game has seen an explosion in popularity and talent, with the 2026 tournament culminating in Phoenix at the Mortgage Matchup Arena. With the field now expanded to 68 teams to match the men's format, the "madness" is truly shared across both brackets.

Before a single ball is dribbled, we have Selection Sunday. This is the day the selection committee reveals the full 68-team field, the seeding (1 through 16), and the regional placements. For 2026, Selection Sunday falls on March 15.

The reveal is a major television event. The men's bracket is typically announced first at 6 p.m. ET on CBS, followed by the women's bracket at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. This is the moment when "bubble teams"—those on the fringe of making the tournament—find out if their season continues or if they'll be headed to the NIT.

To help you manage your time (and your snack prep), here is the round-by-round breakdown for the 2026 men's tournament. Mark these dates on your calendar:

As the tournament progresses, the field is funneled into four regional sites. For 2026, those cities are:

The winners of these regionals will head to Indianapolis for the Final Four. Indianapolis is a legendary host city for college hoops, and 2026 marks the ninth time the city has hosted the Final Four. The semifinals and the championship game will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium, a massive venue that offers a unique, high-energy environment for the final three games of the season.

The women’s tournament also features high-profile regional locations before heading to the desert for the finale. Key sites for the 2026 women’s regionals include Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California. The Final Four and the National Championship (held on April 5) will take place at the Mortgage Matchup Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. This marks a significant moment for Phoenix as it continues to grow as a premier destination for major sporting events.

Watching the tournament has never been easier, but it does require some channel-surfing. The men’s tournament is broadcast across a family of networks: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Generally, CBS and TBS handle the "big" games, including the Final Four and Championship.

For those of us in Los Angeles who have cut the cord, streaming is a great option. You can catch games via:

The women's tournament is primarily housed on the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPNU), with the championship game often featuring on ABC.

At Edible L.A., we believe the only thing as good as a buzzer-beater is a perfectly curated game-day spread. While the rest of the country is dealing with the tail end of winter, we are lucky to have access to incredible seasonal produce right here in Southern California.

When you're planning your watch parties in Santa Monica, Silverlake, or Echo Park, think beyond the standard bag of frozen wings. Visit your local farmers market in Hollywood or Culver City to pick up ingredients for a truly L.A. March Madness experience.

Our Game-Day Tips:

Supporting local food culture while watching the best in college sports is a win-win. It’s about celebrating the season, both on the court and on our plates.

The men's selection show begins at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT for those of us in L.A.) on CBS. The women's selection show follows at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on ESPN.

The 2026 Men's Final Four will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The semifinals take place on April 4, with the championship game on April 6.

The 2026 Women's National Championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, at the Mortgage Matchup Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

March Madness is more than just a tournament; it’s a cultural phenomenon that brings people together. From the nail-biting suspense of Selection Sunday to the final confetti fall in Indianapolis or Phoenix, the next few weeks are going to be a whirlwind.

As you prepare your brackets and clear your schedule for when does march madness start, don't forget to nourish yourself with the best our city has to offer. Whether you're in Glassell Park or Malibu, let's celebrate the grit of the athletes and the richness of our local food community.

For more tips on how to eat with the seasons while you enjoy the games, check out More info about our seasonal produce guide. Let the games begin!