March Madness is a national celebration combining athletic brilliance with unanticipated drama, not just a competition. With major schools, emerging stars, and gripping underdog stories all colliding into a three-week basketball frenzy, the 2025 edition looks to be especially exciting. From buzzer-beaters to bracket-busting shocks, this year’s competition is guaranteed to provide events that will live in college basketball history.
There is much of mystery on the route to the title. Although perennial candidates like Duke, Kansas, and Purdue have dominated the regular season, dark horses like Saint Mary’s and Florida Atlantic hide in the shadows ready to challenge the establishment. Among the players, all eyes are on a generational talent—Kentucky’s fresh phenomenon whose ability to dominate games has attracted NBA scouts in great numbers. Mid-major programs, often underappreciated, want to shock the basketball scene and reflect the attitude of prior the fairy tale teams.
Filling out a bracket is art combining science with superstition. Analysts see a wide open field where multiple clubs have the firepower to take the championship. Though history points to an impending upheaval, the Final Four forecasts call for a mix of seasoned schools and young candidates. While high-octane offences try to run opponents out of the gym, defensive masters might grind out victories. Momentum is above all still a major determinant. March Madness is about when you peak, not just about your level of skill.
Titles are won by teams with great coaching. While some teams use tight defensive systems that make every possession into a fight, others depend on up-tempo offences meant to wear out opponents. One of the most intriguing subplots in the chess match between great coaches and upcoming tacticians is One change—moving to a full-court press or using a zone defense—can turn the script on a much favoured side.
Official tournament schedule with key dates
The tournament unfolds across multiple rounds, culminating in the national championship game. Below is a breakdown of key dates:
| Round & Date | Host & Venue |
|---|---|
| First Four March 18 – 19 | University of Dayton UD Arena, Dayton, OH |
| First/Second Round March 20 – 22 | University of Kentucky Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY |
| First/Second Round March 20 – 22 | Providence College Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, RI |
| First/Second Round March 21 – 23 | University of Washington Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| First/Second Round March 20 – 22 | Wichita State University Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, KS |
| First/Second Round March 21 – 23 | Mid-American Conference Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH |
| First/Second Round March 20 – 22 | Mountain West Conference Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| First/Second Round March 21 – 23 | Marquette University Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI |
| First/Second Round March 21 – 23 | North Carolina State University Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC |
| East Regional March 27 – 29 | Seton Hall University Prudential Center, Newark, NJ |
| West Regional March 27 – 29 | Pac-12 Conference Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |
| South Regional March 28 – 30 | Georgia Institute of Technology State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA |
| Midwest Regional March 28 – 30 | IUPUI/Horizon League Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN |
Best ways to watch the games live
Live coverage of the 2025 March Madness tournament will be available to fans in a variety of formats, including broadcast television, the internet, and mobile applications. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, these are the top ways:
TV Broadcasts
All NCAA tournament games will be televised across four major networks:
- CBS – National broadcast, including the Final Four and Championship Game
- TBS – Select early rounds, Sweet 16, and Elite Eight games
- TNT – First and Second Round games
- truTV – First Four and select First Round matchups
To ensure you don’t miss any games, check your local listings or your cable/satellite provider’s guide.
NCAA March Madness Live App
The official March Madness Live app provides free streaming of every game, though cable authentication may be required for certain matchups. The app is available on:
- iOS & Android devices
- Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Xbox
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, and others with app support)
Streaming Services
For those without cable, several streaming services offer access to the channels broadcasting March Madness, including:
- Hulu + Live TV (CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV)
- YouTube TV (Includes all necessary channels)
- Sling TV (TBS, TNT, truTV; CBS may require an antenna or Paramount+)
- Paramount+ (CBS games only, including Final Four and Championship)
- DirecTV Stream (Complete tournament coverage)
Social Media & Highlights
If you can’t watch live, platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok will feature real-time highlights, game updates, and analysis. The NCAA also posts clips on YouTube for key plays and game recaps.