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 $74. 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

2026-2027 NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Tickets and Schedule

All NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets

(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 91 dollars to Opening Round - Wichita on Tuesday, March 16, 2027 at time to be announced at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS
Mar 16, 2027
Tue · TBD
Opening Round - Wichita
$91·INTRUST Bank Arena·Wichita, KS
TBD
From $91
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 252 dollars to Opening Round - Wichita - All Sessions (3/16 & 3/17) on Tuesday, March 16, 2027 at time to be announced at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS
Mar 16, 2027
Tue · TBD
Opening Round - Wichita - All Sessions (3/16 & 3/17)
$252·INTRUST Bank Arena·Wichita, KS
TBD
From $252
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 165 dollars to Opening Round - Dayton - All Sessions (3/16 & 3/17) on Tuesday, March 16, 2027 at time to be announced at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Mar 16, 2027
Tue · TBD
Opening Round - Dayton - All Sessions (3/16 & 3/17)
$165·University of Dayton Arena·Dayton, OH
TBD
From $165
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 76 dollars to Opening Round - Dayton on Tuesday, March 16, 2027 at time to be announced at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Mar 16, 2027
Tue · TBD
Opening Round - Dayton
$76·University of Dayton Arena·Dayton, OH
TBD
From $76
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 75 dollars to Opening Round - Dayton on Wednesday, March 17, 2027 at time to be announced at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Mar 17, 2027
Wed · TBD
Opening Round - Dayton
$75·University of Dayton Arena·Dayton, OH
TBD
From $75
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 93 dollars to Opening Round - Wichita on Wednesday, March 17, 2027 at time to be announced at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS
Mar 17, 2027
Wed · TBD
Opening Round - Wichita
$93·INTRUST Bank Arena·Wichita, KS
TBD
From $93
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 464 dollars to Pittsburgh - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20) on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Pittsburgh - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$464·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
TBD
From $464
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 478 dollars to Omaha - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20) on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, NE
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Omaha - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$478·CHI Health Center Omaha·Omaha, NE
TBD
From $478
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 473 dollars to Fort Worth - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20) on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena) in Fort Worth, TX
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Fort Worth - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$473·Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)·Fort Worth, TX
TBD
From $473
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 530 dollars to Spokane - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20) on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at Numerica Veterans Arena in Spokane, WA
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Spokane - All Sessions (3/18 & 3/20)
$530·Numerica Veterans Arena·Spokane, WA
TBD
From $530
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 155 dollars to Pittsburgh - Session 1 on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Pittsburgh - Session 1
$155·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
TBD
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(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 142 dollars to Fort Worth - Session 1 on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena) in Fort Worth, TX
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Fort Worth - Session 1
$142·Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)·Fort Worth, TX
TBD
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(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 140 dollars to Omaha - Session 1 on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, NE
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Omaha - Session 1
$140·CHI Health Center Omaha·Omaha, NE
TBD
From $140
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Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Spokane - Session 1
$149·Numerica Veterans Arena·Spokane, WA
TBD
From $149
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 168 dollars to Pittsburgh - Session 2 on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Pittsburgh - Session 2
$168·PPG Paints Arena·Pittsburgh, PA
TBD
From $168
(opens in new tab) Find tickets from 153 dollars to Omaha - Session 2 on Thursday, March 18, 2027 at time to be announced at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, NE
Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Omaha - Session 2
$153·CHI Health Center Omaha·Omaha, NE
TBD
From $153
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Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Fort Worth - Session 2
$163·Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)·Fort Worth, TX
TBD
From $163
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Mar 18, 2027
Thu · TBD
Spokane - Session 2
$194·Numerica Veterans Arena·Spokane, WA
TBD
From $194
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Mar 19, 2027
Fri · TBD
Charlotte - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
$483·Spectrum Center - Charlotte·Charlotte, NC
TBD
From $483
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Mar 19, 2027
Fri · TBD
Louisville - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
$498·KFC Yum! Center·Louisville, KY
TBD
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Mar 19, 2027
Fri · TBD
Minneapolis - All Sessions (3/19 & 3/21)
$483·Target Center·Minneapolis, MN
TBD
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Mar 19, 2027
Fri · TBD
Charlotte - Session 1
$139·Spectrum Center - Charlotte·Charlotte, NC
TBD
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Louisville - Session 1
$123·KFC Yum! Center·Louisville, KY
TBD
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Mar 19, 2027
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Charlotte - Session 2
$157·Spectrum Center - Charlotte·Charlotte, NC
TBD
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Mar 19, 2027
Fri · TBD
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$142·KFC Yum! Center·Louisville, KY
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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.

Date	Location	Venue	Lowest Price
03/16/2027	Dayton	University of Dayton Arena	$162
03/16/2027	Dayton	University of Dayton Arena	$75
03/16/2027	Wichita	INTRUST Bank Arena	$90
03/16/2027	Wichita	INTRUST Bank Arena	$247
03/17/2027	Dayton	University of Dayton Arena	$73
03/17/2027	Wichita	INTRUST Bank Arena	$92
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$170
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$154
03/18/2027	Pittsburgh	PPG Paints Arena	$464
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$461
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)	$142
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)	$162
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$152
03/18/2027	Omaha	CHI Health Center Omaha	$139
03/18/2027	Fort Worth	Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)	$480
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$190
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$520
03/18/2027	Spokane	Numerica Veterans Arena	$149
03/19/2027	Charlotte	Spectrum Center - Charlotte	$468
03/19/2027	Charlotte	Spectrum Center - Charlotte	$139

Date

Location

Venue

Lowest Price

03/16/2027

Dayton

University of Dayton Arena

$162

03/16/2027

Dayton

University of Dayton Arena

$75

03/16/2027

Wichita

INTRUST Bank Arena

$90

03/16/2027

Wichita

INTRUST Bank Arena

$247

03/17/2027

Dayton

University of Dayton Arena

$73

03/17/2027

Wichita

INTRUST Bank Arena

$92

03/18/2027

Pittsburgh

PPG Paints Arena

$170

03/18/2027

Pittsburgh

PPG Paints Arena

$154

03/18/2027

Pittsburgh

PPG Paints Arena

$464

03/18/2027

Omaha

CHI Health Center Omaha

$461

03/18/2027

Fort Worth

Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)

$142

03/18/2027

Fort Worth

Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)

$162

03/18/2027

Omaha

CHI Health Center Omaha

$152

03/18/2027

Omaha

CHI Health Center Omaha

$139

03/18/2027

Fort Worth

Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)

$480

03/18/2027

Spokane

Numerica Veterans Arena

$190

03/18/2027

Spokane

Numerica Veterans Arena

$520

03/18/2027

Spokane

Numerica Veterans Arena

$149

03/19/2027

Charlotte

Spectrum Center - Charlotte

$468

03/19/2027

Charlotte

Spectrum Center - Charlotte

$139

Venue Seating
University of Dayton Arena
INTRUST Bank Arena
PPG Paints Arena
CHI Health Center Omaha
Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)
Numerica Veterans Arena
Spectrum Center - Charlotte

Venue Seating

University of Dayton Arena

INTRUST Bank Arena

PPG Paints Arena

CHI Health Center Omaha

Ariat Arena (formerly Dickies Arena)

Numerica Veterans Arena

Spectrum Center - Charlotte

City
Pittsburgh
Omaha
Fort Worth
Spokane
Charlotte
Louisville
Minneapolis
Sacramento
San Antonio
Los Angeles

City

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

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

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets

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East Regional Teams

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Midwest Regional Teams

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Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament

2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Tickets

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

How much are NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament tickets?