By sara 
Exact 2026 March Madness dates, game times, men’s vs. women’s differences, PTO hacks, myth-busters, and everything else you actually need to enjoy the tournament without stress.
Things You’ll Actually Use From This Guide
- The full 2026 calendar with realistic game-time windows (no more guessing when to sneak away from your desk.
- Why the women’s tournament starts a day later and how the new WNBA calendar could mess with rookies.
- Simple PTO tricks that let you watch Thursday-Sunday without your boss hating you.
- A quick history lesson that explains why it’s always mid-March (and always spills into April).
- The most common March Madness timing myths—busted so you sound smart at the watch party.
Alright, Here’s Exactly When Everything Happens in 2026
You came for dates, so let’s not bury the lede.
- Selection Sunday – March 15, 2026 (6 p.m. ET on CBS)
- First Four (Dayton) – Tuesday March 17 & Wednesday March 18
- Round of 64 – Thursday March 19 & Friday March 20
- Round of 32 – Saturday March 21 & Sunday March 22
- Sweet 16 – Thursday March 26 & Friday March 27
- Elite Eight – Saturday March 28 & Sunday March 29
- Final Four (Indianapolis) – Saturday April 4 (semifinals)
- National Championship – Monday April 6 (9 p.m. ET)
Typical daily tip times you can actually plan around:
- Afternoon windows: 12:15, 1:30, 2:45, ~4:00 p.m. ET
- Evening windows: 6:30, 7:10, 8:50, ~9:50 p.m. ET (Those weird 6:09 p.m. or 8:49 p.m. starts? Blame the pre-game ceremonies.)
Men’s vs. Women’s Schedules – Why They’re Not the Same but Different
If you’re trying to watch both tournaments (respect), here’s what trips most people up:
- Women’s First Four is March 18–19 (one day later than the men)
- Women’s Round of 64 starts Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21
- Women’s Final Four is in Phoenix – championship on Sunday April 5 (men play Monday April 6)
The one-day offset has been around forever, mostly for TV logistics and campus scheduling. But the big story this year? The WNBA’s new CBA talks want training camps to open mid-March. That could force top seniors to choose between a Final Four run and reporting to their pro team. It’s already sparking heated debates on X and Reddit—expect plenty of drama if a star skips the Elite Eight for camp.
Why Does It Always Start in Mid-March? (Short History Lesson)
Because conference tournaments have to finish first. Most Power 6 league championships end the weekend of March 13–15, so the NCAA needs a buffer to seed the field.
Quick timeline for context:
- 1939 – 8 teams, all games in one week in March
- 1951 – 16 teams
- 1985 – 64 teams (the year it really blew up)
- 2011 – Added the First Four → 68 teams (where we’ve stayed ever since)
Once you go to 67 games over four weekends, you’re always spilling into early April. Anyone who says “it used to be all in March” is remembering the days before cable TV and billion-dollar brackets.
Planning Hacks So You Don’t Miss a Minute
PTO Strategy That Actually Works
Block these four days every year and you’ll catch 90 % of the drama:
- Thursday & Friday of the Round of 64 (March 19–20, 2026)
- Thursday & Friday of the Sweet 16 (March 26–27, 2026)
Pro move: tell your boss you’re “working remotely” those afternoons. Nobody checks Slack when 12 games are on at once.
Travel & Ticket Reality Check
First and second round sites for 2026 include Greenville, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Wichita, etc. If you want to go in person:
- Buy the “all-session” strips the moment they drop (usually late fall 2025)
- Book refundable flights/hotels—sites get announced in November 2025
- Dayton First Four tickets are the cheapest and most fun weekend of the year
Bracket & Viewing Setup
- Fill your bracket the night of Selection Sunday (don’t wait—lines move fast)
- Use the March Madness Live app; it’s free and streams every game
- Set phone reminder 15 minutes before tip-off for any game with a 12- or 16-seed (upset alerts)
March Madness Timing Myths—Busted
Myth #1: “The First Four isn’t the real tournament.” Reality: Since 2011, those four games are officially part of the field. Winners go to the Round of 64 just like everyone else.
Myth #2: “The tournament used to end in March.” Reality: Only true before 1985. Once we hit 64 teams, April finals became permanent.
Myth #3: “Game times are set in stone.” Reality: The NCAA tweaks tip times after selection to avoid too much overlap and to give national TV windows. That’s why you sometimes get a 6:09 p.m. start instead of 6:00.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Selection Sunday 2026?
Sunday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET on CBS.
What time do most games start?
Afternoon sessions usually tip at 12:15, 1:30, 2:45 p.m. ET; night sessions around 6:30–10 p.m. ET.
Why do the women start a day later?
TV scheduling and campus logistics—been that way for decades.
Will WNBA training camp really overlap with the Final Four?
Possibly. The current CBA extension runs through Jan 9, 2026, but a new deal could push camps into mid-March. Keep an eye on it could get messy.
How far in advance should I request PTO?
Request the Thursday/Friday of the first weekend and Sweet 16 the day the previous year’s tournament ends. Dates only move a day or two year-to-year.
Is there an easy printable 2026 calendar?
Yes—NCAA.com releases one in November 2025. I’ll update this post with the link the second it drops.
Final Word
You now know exactly when the 2026 madness begins (March 15 reveal, March 17 first tip), why the calendar looks the way it does, and how to watch every second without turning your life upside down. So go mark those dates, warn your significant other, and start scouting sleepers. The best month of the sports year is coming—and this time you’ll be ready before the brackets even drop.
What’s your boldest 2026 prediction? Drop it below. I’ll be reading every one while I pretend to work on March 19. See your courtside (or on the couch).