What is the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament schedule?

When the calendar turns to March, the NCAA Tournament frenzy begins. Selection Sunday takes place on March 15, 2026, when the full 68-team field will be revealed along with official seedings. The tournament opens with the First Four play-in games on March 17 & 18, held at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, where the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams battle for the final spots in the main bracket. The First and Second Rounds—involving the full field of 64 teams—unfold from March 19 through March 22. On March 19 & 21, games are hosted at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY; Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC; Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK; and Moda Center in Portland, OR. Meanwhile March 20 & 22 action is hosted in Tampa, FL (Benchmark International Arena), Philadelphia, PA (Xfinity Mobile Arena), San Diego, CA (Viejas Arena), and St. Louis, MO (Enterprise Center). As the field narrows, the Round of 16 and Round of 8 (Regional Semifinals & Finals) are scheduled for March 26 & 28 in the South Regional at Toyota Center (Houston, TX) and the West Regional at SAP Center (San Jose, CA), followed by March 27 & 29 matchups in the Midwest Regional at United Center (Chicago, IL) and East Regional at Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.). The remaining teams will head to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the national semifinals on April 4 and the National Championship Game on April 6—capping off the tournament with high-stakes drama and crowning the 2026 national champion. Summary Table (2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament) Stage Dates Venue & Location Selection Sunday March 15, 2026 NCAA Selection Show (CBS/live platforms) First Four March 17–18 UD Arena — Dayton, Ohio First & Second Rounds March 19–22 Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland; Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis Round of 16 & Round of 8 March 26–29 Houston (Toyota Center), San Jose, Chicago, Washington, D.C. Semifinals April 4 Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN National Championship April 6 Same as above This multi-week championship features games across multiple cities before culminating in Indianapolis.

How much are NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets?

NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament ticket prices depend on a variety of factors, including match up, location, date, round and more. You'll usually find lower ticket prices during the earlier rounds, like the First Four and the First and Second Rounds. Later rounds, like the semifinals and NCAA Championship Game, skew higher prices due to the severity of the game. Between the exciting storylines, Cinderella stories and diehard fanbases, the later rounds provide the most exhilarating gameplay. Not sure which rounds you want to see in person? Or when to buy tickets? Click into any event listed above and click the heart icon at the top of that page to "track" the event. You'll receive notifications on price drops and changes, so you'll always have the most up-to-date information on NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament ticket prices.

What is the best place to buy NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets?

The best place to buy NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets is SeatGeek. You can shop every round of the tournament in one place—from the First Four in Dayton all the way to the semifinals and National Championship—with tickets backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee and sourced from trusted sellers. To find the right seats, start with the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament events listed above or search for your favorite team, round, or host city on SeatGeek. Use filters and Deal Score to quickly compare prices and sightlines, then click the heart icon to track any game you’re interested in. You’ll get alerts when prices change, helping you decide when to buy and making it easier to lock in the best value on NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets.

How can I get cheap NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets?

NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets typically start around $287. You'll likely find the lowest prices during the first few rounds of the tournament, as storylines are still developing. Ticket prices also depend on seat location, venue, date and a number of other factors. In most venues, you'll find the cheapest tickets in the 200- and 300-level sections. Make sure to utilize SeatGeek's "Deal Score" to find the best deals on NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets. SeatGeek combines ticket price, seat location and a few other factors to determine how good of a deal you're getting on tickets. Click into the event you're looking to attend above and check out the Deal Scores.

When is the best time to buy NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets?

There’s no single “perfect” time, but it depends on what you care about most: specific seats vs. lowest possible price. If you want lower-bowl locations, aisle seats, or to sit with a big group—especially for the Round of 16, Round of 8, semifinals or National Championship—it’s usually best to buy soon after the bracket is revealed and sites/sessions are confirmed, before the best sections sell out and prices climb. If you’re more flexible on where you sit, you can often find good value closer to tip-off, especially for early rounds and neutral-site games where demand is softer. Prices can move up or down as teams advance, so a smart strategy is to track the games you’re interested in on SeatGeek, watch Deal Score for value, and set alerts. That way, you can pounce when prices dip but avoid waiting so long that your preferred session or section sells out.

What is a full strip ticket?

A full strip of tickets includes a ticket to each of the sessions hosted at that venue. For the first and second round locations, this would include tickets to the two afternoon session games, the two evening session games, and the two second round games in the third session. In the case of the Round of 16 and Round of 8, a full strip would include tickets for the games at the location for both those rounds. In the case of the semifinals, a full strip includes tickets to the two semifinal games as well as the Championship game. Unlike most sporting events, in the case of NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament, many tickets include admission to more than a single game. In the First Round, Second Round, and Round of 16, each session includes admission to back-to-back games. However, in the case of the First Round Session 1 tickets do not include admission to the games in Session 2, and vice versa, even though the games are on the same day.

What is a NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament session ticket?

Since all of the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament venues host multiple games over multiple days, session tickets are often sold together as a package or split up. "All session" tickets are the most straightforward, and give you access to all the games at that venue. Whether it is the First Four, the semifinals or one of the regional sites, when you buy an All Session ticket you are able to attend all of the games in that location. "Session specific" tickets can be a little tricky, but we'll explain. Most fans end up opting for session specific tickets because they are focused on seeing their specific team. At the first and second round locations there are three different sessions, while at the regional locations there are two different sessions. The table below demonstrates what each session gets you access to: First and Second Round Locations Session # Description Session 1 The first two games of the first round and day at that location, typically in the early afternoon Session 2 The last two games of the first round and day at that location, typically in the evening Session 3 The two second-round games at that location. These take place two days after the first round Regional Locations Session # Description Session 1 The two Round of 16 games at that location. Your ticket gives you access to both Session 2 The one Round of 8 game at that location

2026 NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Tickets and Schedule

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Mar 18, 2027
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Pittsburgh - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$1,071·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
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Omaha - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$1,095·CHI Health Center Omaha·Omaha, NE
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Fort Worth - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$1,112·Dickies Arena·Fort Worth, TX
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Spokane - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$881·Numerica Veterans Arena·Spokane, WA
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Pittsburgh - Session 1
$295·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
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$474·Dickies Arena·Fort Worth, TX
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Spokane - Session 1
$346·Numerica Veterans Arena·Spokane, WA
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Pittsburgh - Session 2
$288·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
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$494·CHI Health Center Omaha·Omaha, NE
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Charlotte - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
Spectrum Center - Charlotte·Charlotte, NC
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Louisville - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
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Minneapolis - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
Target Center·Minneapolis, MN
TBD
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Sacramento - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
Golden 1 Center·Sacramento, CA
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Minneapolis - Session 1
Target Center·Minneapolis, MN
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Sacramento - Session 1
Golden 1 Center·Sacramento, CA
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Minneapolis - Session 2
Target Center·Minneapolis, MN
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2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets

When the calendar flips to March, every college basketball fan knows what’s coming. The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is set to deliver the same thrills, drama, and unforgettable moments that make it one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Selection Sunday will be held on March 15, 2026, when the 68-team field will officially be revealed. The action tips off with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio on March 17–18, before the full bracket of games begins.

First and Second Round matchups will run from March 19–22 across eight host cities, including Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. The surviving teams will then battle through the Round of 16 and Round of 8, scheduled for March 26–29. Regional sites include the Toyota Center in Houston for the South, SAP Center in San Jose for the West, United Center in Chicago for the Midwest, and Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. for the East.

From there, all roads lead to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Lucas Oil Stadium will host the national semifinals on April 4 and the National Championship on April 6. As always, ticket prices vary greatly depending on the stage of the tournament, the location, and the teams involved. Early round tickets are usually more affordable, while demand (and prices) climb significantly for the later rounds and especially the semifinals. With Cinderella stories, buzzer-beaters, and championship dreams on the line, the 2026 NCAA Tournament is sure to live up to its “Madness” reputation once again.

Stage	Dates	Venue & Location
Selection Sunday	March 15, 2026	NCAA Selection Show (CBS/live platforms)
First Four	March 17–18	UD Arena — Dayton, Ohio
First & Second Rounds	March 19–22	Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland; Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis
Round of 16 & Round of 8	March 26–29	Houston (Toyota Center), San Jose, Chicago, Washington, D.C.
Semifinals	April 4	Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
National Championship	April 6	Same as above

Session #	Description
Session 1	The first two games of the first round and day at that location, typically in the early afternoon
Session 2	The last two games of the first round and day at that location, typically in the evening
Session 3	The two second-round games at that location. These take place two days after the first round

College Sports Categories	NCAA Basketball Major Events	Popular NCAA Basketball Tickets
NCAA Football	NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets	Duke Blue Devils Basketball
NCAA Hockey	NCAA Tournament Opening Round Tickets	Gonzaga Bulldogs Basketball
NCAA Men's Basketball	NCAA Tournament First and Second Round Tickets	Kansas Jayhawks Basketball
NCAA Women's Basketball	NCAA Tournament Round of 16 Tickets	North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball
NCAA Soccer	NCAA Tournament Round of 8 Tickets	Indiana Hoosiers Basketball
NCAA Baseball	NCAA Tournament Semifinals Tickets	Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Date	Location	Venue	Lowest Price
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$294
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$287
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$1070
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$493
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Dickies Arena	$473
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$1094
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Dickies Arena	$379
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Dickies Arena	$1111
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$482
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$880
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$351
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$345
03/19/2027	Charlotte	Spectrum Center - Charlotte	$470
03/19/2027	Charlotte	Spectrum Center - Charlotte	N/A
03/19/2027	Louisville	KFC Yum! Center	$373
03/19/2027	Louisville	KFC Yum! Center	$1082
03/19/2027	Louisville	KFC Yum! Center	$344
03/19/2027	Charlotte	Spectrum Center - Charlotte	$491
03/19/2027	Minneapolis	Target Center	N/A
03/19/2027	Minneapolis	Target Center	N/A

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets

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NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament games

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East Regional Teams

Duke Blue Devils

UConn Huskies

Michigan State Spartans

Kansas Jayhawks

St. John's Red Storm

Louisville Cardinals

UCLA Bruins

Ohio State Buckeyes

TCU Horned Frogs

UCF Knights

South Florida Bulls

Northern Iowa Panthers

California Baptist Lancers

North Dakota State Bison

Furman Paladins

Siena Saints

South Regional Teams

Florida Gators

Houston Cougars

Illinois Fighting Illini

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Vanderbilt Commodores

North Carolina Tar Heels

Saint Mary's Gaels

Clemson Tigers

Iowa Hawkeyes

Texas A&M Aggies

VCU Rams

McNeese Cowboys

Troy Trojans

Penn Quakers

Idaho Vandals

Lehigh Mountain Hawks

Prairie View A&M Panthers

West Regional Teams

Arizona Wildcats

Purdue Boilermakers

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Arkansas Razorbacks

Wisconsin Badgers

BYU Cougars

Miami Hurricanes

Villanova Wildcats

Utah State Aggies

Missouri Tigers

High Point Panthers

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Kennesaw State Owls

Queens Royals

LIU Sharks

NC State Wolfpack

Texas Longhorns

Midwest Regional Teams

Michigan Wolverines

Iowa State Cyclones

Virginia Cavaliers

Alabama Crimson Tide

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Tennessee Volunteers

Kentucky Wildcats

Georgia Bulldogs

Saint Louis Billikens

Santa Clara Broncos

Akron Zips

Hofstra Pride

Wright State Raiders

Tennessee State Tigers

Howard Bison

UMBC Retrievers

SMU Mustangs

Miami (OH) RedHawks

Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament