When does March Madness start? NCAA basketball tournament 2026 date

The 2026 NCAA basketball tournament is just two weeks away.

March Madness tips off with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio from March 17-18. From there, 68 teams will battle to reach the national championship game on April 6 in Indianapolis during the Final Four.

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Conference tournaments are already in swing as teams look to qualify for March Madness. Five automatic bids will be awarded to conference champions this week, with 26 more the week leading up to Selection Sunday.

Here’s what to know about March Madness 2026:

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Georgia forward Kanon Catchings (6) pushes past Vanderbilt guard Tyler Harris (8) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Georgia forward Kanon Catchings (6) pushes past Vanderbilt guard Tyler Harris (8) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel (5) fights for the ball with Georgia forward Justin Abson (25) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Georgia guard Blue Cain (0) bolts apst Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles (2) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (5) shoots past Vanderbilt forward Tyler Nickel (5) during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner (3) passes the ball against Georgia during the first half at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

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Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles lead Vanderbilt basketball vs Georgia

Georgia guard…

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Publish date : 2026-03-03 16:29:00

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