2025 March Madness Men’s NCAA Tournament Schedule and Key Dates

As the calendar flips to 2025, basketball fans across the nation are gearing up for the annual spectacle that is March Madness. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises to deliver the heart-pounding excitement, Cinderella stories, and unforgettable moments that have become synonymous with this beloved event.

From the first tip-off on Selection Sunday to the final buzzer in the championship game, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament schedule, key dates, and venues.

The Road to March Madness 2025

The journey to the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament begins with Selection Sunday on March 16. This pivotal day marks the official announcement of the 68 teams that will compete for the national title.

Fans and teams alike will be eagerly awaiting the reveal of the tournament bracket, setting the stage for the intense competition that follows.

Key Dates and Rounds

The tournament kicks off with the First Four games on March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio, hosted by the University of Dayton. These initial matchups determine the final four teams to enter the main bracket of 64 teams.

The action then moves swiftly into the First Round on March 20-21 and the Second Round on March 22-23, where teams will battle to advance to the coveted Sweet 16.

Sweet 16 and Elite Eight

The Sweet 16 round, taking place on March 27-28, will see the top 16 teams compete for a spot in the Elite Eight. This round is often where the tournament’s most thrilling and unexpected upsets occur, as lower-seeded teams strive to keep their championship dreams alive.

The Elite Eight games, held on March 29-30, will determine the four teams that will advance to the Final Four.

The Final Four and Championship Game

The pinnacle of March Madness, the Final Four, is set for April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This iconic venue will also host the NCAA Championship Game on April 7, where the final two teams will compete for the ultimate prize in college basketball.

Venues and Host Institutions

The 2025 tournament will be played across various cities and venues, each offering a unique atmosphere and experience for fans and players. Here is a breakdown of the key locations and their hosts:

• First Four: Dayton, Ohio – UD Arena, hosted by the University of Dayton
• First/Second Rounds:
  • Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena, hosted by the University of Kentucky
  • Providence, RI – Amica Mutual Pavilion, hosted by Providence College
  • Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena, hosted by the University of Washington
  • Wichita, KS – Intrust Bank Arena, hosted by Wichita State University
  • Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, hosted by the Mid-American Conference
  • Denver, CO – Ball Arena, hosted by the Mountain West Conference
  • Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum, hosted by Marquette University
  • Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center, hosted by North Carolina State University
• Regional Rounds:
  • East Regional – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center, hosted by Seton Hall University
  • West Regional – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center, hosted by the Pac-12 Conference
  • South Regional – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena, hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Midwest Regional – Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by IUPUI/Horizon League
• Final Four and Championship: San Antonio, TX – Alamodome, hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of the Incarnate Word

Looking Back: Highlights from the 2024 Tournament

The 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was filled with memorable moments and standout performances. The championship game saw UConn triumph over Purdue with a final score of 75-60, securing their place in college basketball history.

Along the way, fans witnessed thrilling upsets and buzzer-beaters that epitomize the spirit of March Madness.

Notable Games and Results

Some of the most exciting games from the 2024 tournament included:

• First Four: Wagner’s narrow victory over Howard (71-68) and Colorado State’s dominant win against Virginia (67-42)
• Round of 64: Michigan State’s decisive win over Mississippi State (66-51) and Oakland’s stunning upset of Kentucky (80-76)
• Round of 32: Arizona’s hard-fought victory over Dayton (78-68) and Clemson’s impressive performance against Baylor (72-64)
• Sweet 16: Clemson’s upset of Arizona (77-72) and NC State’s surprising win over Marquette (66-58)
• Elite Eight: Purdue’s triumph over Tennessee (72-66) and NC State’s continued Cinderella run with a win over Duke (76-64)
• Final Four: Purdue’s victory over NC State (63-50) and UConn’s dominant performance against Alabama (86-72)

Future Sites and Dates

Looking ahead, the NCAA has already announced the future sites for the Final Four through 2030. Fans can start planning their trips to these exciting destinations:

• 2024: Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium, hosted by Arizona State University
• 2026: Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and IUPUI
• 2027: Detroit, MI – Ford Field, hosted by Michigan State University
• 2028: Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium, hosted by UNLV
• 2029: Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by the Horizon League and IUPUI
• 2030: North Texas – AT&T Stadium, hosted by the Big 12 Conference

Conclusion

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is shaping up to be another unforgettable chapter in the storied history of March Madness.

With a full slate of games, iconic venues, and the promise of thrilling competition, fans have much to look forward to.

Whether you’re attending in person or cheering from home, be sure to stay updated on all the latest news and developments by visiting the official NCAA website.

Let the madness begin!