INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 22: The March Madness logo on the court during the Grambling State Tigers versus the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round of the NCAA Division 1 Championship on March 22, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
March Madness is upon us once again, and the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament promises to deliver the thrilling upsets, buzzer-beaters, and Cinderella stories that college basketball fans live for. With the tournament tipping off in just a matter of days, it’s time to lock in your viewing plans, fill out your brackets, and prepare for three weeks of nonstop hardwood action. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this detailed guide will walk you through the key dates, tip-off times, TV networks, and everything else you need to know about the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Let’s dive in!
The Road to San Antonio Begins
The 2025 NCAA Tournament officially kicked off with Selection Sunday on March 16, when the 68-team field was unveiled on CBS at 6:00 p.m. ET. From there, the madness begins with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, and culminates with the Final Four and National Championship at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This year marks the fifth time San Antonio has hosted the Final Four, and the first since 2018. With 67 games spread across four national TV networks—CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV—plus streaming options galore, fans have no excuse to miss a single moment.
Tournament Schedule Overview
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates for the 2025 NCAA Tournament:
- Selection Sunday: March 16, 2025
- First Four: March 18–19, 2025
- First Round: March 20–21, 2025
- Second Round: March 22–23, 2025
- Sweet 16: March 27–28, 2025
- Elite Eight: March 29–30, 2025
- Final Four: April 5, 2025
- National Championship: April 7, 2025
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty: the tip-off times and TV networks for each round.
First Four: March 18–19, 2025
The tournament tips off with the First Four, a two-day appetizer in Dayton, Ohio, where eight teams battle for the final four spots in the Round of 64. All First Four games air on truTV, with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET each night. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday, March 18
- Game 1: 6:40 p.m. ET – No. 16 Alabama State vs. No. 16 Saint Francis (truTV)
- Game 2: 9:10 p.m. ET – No. 11 San Diego State vs. No. 11 North Carolina (truTV)
Wednesday, March 19
- Game 3: 6:40 p.m. ET – No. 16 American vs. No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s (truTV)
- Game 4: 9:10 p.m. ET – No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 Xavier (truTV)
These games set the stage for the full 64-team bracket, and while tip times are approximate (the second game each night starts shortly after the first concludes), truTV will be your exclusive home for the action. Streaming is available via NCAA March Madness Live and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On.
First Round: March 20–21, 2025
The First Round kicks off the true madness with 32 games spread across two days and multiple venues, including Lexington, Providence, Wichita, Denver, Seattle, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Raleigh. Games begin at noon ET each day and run well into the night, airing across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. Here’s a sample of the tip-off times and networks (note: exact matchups and times vary by region and are subject to updates post-First Four):
Thursday, March 20
- 12:15 p.m. ET: Louisville vs. Creighton (CBS) – Lenovo Center, Raleigh
- 12:40 p.m. ET: High Point vs. Purdue (truTV) – Rupp Arena, Lexington
- 1:00 p.m. ET: TBD (TBS) – Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita
- 1:30 p.m. ET: TBD (TNT) – Ball Arena, Denver
- 2:45 p.m. ET: TBD (CBS)
- 3:20 p.m. ET: TBD (truTV)
- 5:50 p.m. ET: No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Wofford (TNT) – Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence
- 6:15 p.m. ET: TBD (TBS)
- 7:00 p.m. ET: TBD (CBS)
- 7:15 p.m. ET: TBD (TNT)
- 9:10 p.m. ET: No. 9 UNC vs. San Diego State/North Carolina winner (TBS) – Rupp Arena, Lexington
- 9:45 p.m. ET: TBD (truTV)
Friday, March 21
- 12:30 p.m. ET: No. 14 Lipscomb vs. No. 3 Iowa State (TNT) – Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
- 12:40 p.m. ET: TBD (truTV) – Rocket Arena, Cleveland
- 2:15 p.m. ET: No. 10 Vanderbilt vs. No. 7 Saint Mary’s (truTV) – Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
- 2:50 p.m. ET: No. 2 Duke vs. American/Mount St. Mary’s winner (CBS) – Lenovo Center, Raleigh
- 6:10 p.m. ET: No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 14 Troy (TNT) – Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
- 7:00 p.m. ET: TBD (CBS)
- 9:45 p.m. ET: No. 6 Illinois vs. Texas/Xavier winner (TBS) – Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
All games are available on NCAA March Madness Live, with CBS games streaming on Paramount+ and TBS/TNT/truTV games on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. Check local listings for exact matchups, as tip times are staggered to keep the action flowing.
Second Round: March 22–23, 2025
The Second Round narrows the field from 32 to 16, with games starting at 12:10 p.m. ET each day. Venues remain the same as the First Round, and networks continue to split the coverage:
Saturday, March 22
- 12:10 p.m. ET: TBD (CBS) – Rupp Arena, Lexington
- Games continue throughout the day across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, with approximate start times at 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. ET. Exact times and matchups are set after Thursday’s games conclude.
Sunday, March 23
- 12:10 p.m. ET: TBD (CBS) – Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
- Similar staggered schedule as Saturday, with updates released Friday night.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight: March 27–30, 2025
The regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight) take place over two weekends, with games shifting to larger regional hubs. Tip times typically start at 6:30 p.m. ET, with CBS and TBS splitting coverage:
- Thursday, March 27: Sweet 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS/TBS)
- Friday, March 28: Sweet 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS/TBS)
- Saturday, March 29: Elite Eight, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET (TBS)
- Sunday, March 30: Elite Eight, starting at 5:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Exact times and venues will be finalized after the Second Round.
Final Four and National Championship: April 5–7, 2025
The culmination of March Madness happens in San Antonio at the Alamodome:
- Saturday, April 5: Final Four National Semifinals
- Game 1: 6:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Game 2: Approximately 8:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Pregame coverage includes The Final Four Show Built by The Home Depot (3:00–4:00 p.m. ET) and At the Final Four presented by Nissan (4:00–5:00 p.m. ET).
- Monday, April 7: National Championship
- Tip-off: 8:50 p.m. ET (CBS) – a 30-minute earlier start than in past years, a welcome tweak for fans.
CBS takes the reins for the Final Four, with streaming on Paramount+ and NCAA March Madness Live.
How to Watch: TV and Streaming Options
- TV Networks: CBS (24 games, including the Final Four and Championship), TBS (18 games), truTV (21 games, including First Four), TNT (12 games).
- Streaming: NCAA March Madness Live offers every game. Paramount+ covers CBS broadcasts, while Max’s B/R Sports Add-On streams TBS, TNT, and truTV games. Services like DIRECTV STREAM, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV carry all four networks, while Fubo TV (CBS only) and Sling (TBS/TNT/truTV) require add-ons for full access.
What to Expect in 2025
This year’s broadcast team features Ian Eagle as the new lead play-by-play voice for the Final Four, joined by Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson. Former Purdue star Robbie Hummel also debuts as an analyst for early rounds. With top teams like UConn, Duke, Kentucky, and Tennessee in the mix, plus potential dark horses like Lipscomb or Vanderbilt, the 2025 tournament is shaping up to be a classic.
So, grab your remote, clear your schedule, and get ready for the madness. Whether you’re cheering for a No. 1 seed or a double-digit underdog, the 2025 NCAA Tournament is guaranteed to deliver unforgettable moments. Where will you be when “One Shining Moment” plays?
