Summary
March Madness is a basketball tournament that starts on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026. The games begin with the First Four on March 17 and 18, and the tournament ends with the Final Four in Indianapolis on April 4 and 6.
Key Facts
- Selection Sunday for March Madness is March 15, 2026.
- The First Four games will be held on March 17 and 18, 2026.
- The Final Four games are scheduled for April 4 and 6, 2026, in Indianapolis.
- The tournament field includes 68 teams.
- The first NCAA men's tournament was in 1939 with eight teams.
- Oregon won the first championship by defeating Ohio State.
- The tournament expanded to 16 teams in 1951, 32 teams in 1975, and 64 teams in 1985.
- "March Madness" was first used for basketball in 1939.
