NCAA March Madness Dates & 2025 Schedule: When Does March Madness Start?

March Madness 2025 is just around the corner, and the anticipation is nearing its peak. As the regular season comes to a close, conference tournaments and Selection Sunday are approaching, paving the way for one of the most exhilarating events in sports!
This year's tournament is set to be particularly captivating, with back-to-back champion UConn facing a challenging path to a three-peat, creating opportunities for teams like Auburn, Alabama and St. John's to make their mark. Additionally, traditional powerhouses such as Duke and Florida are in the mix, but could this be the year a Cinderella team steals the spotlight?
Whether you're filling out a bracket, placing bets or simply enjoying the excitement, it's time to prepare for another memorable March Madness! Here's all the essential information about the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including important Mach Madness dates, the complete schedule and the latest betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
When Does March Madness Start?
First things first: when does March Madness start? The 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to kick off on Tuesday, March 18, with the First Four taking place in Dayton, Ohio. However, the excitement truly ignites two days earlier on Selection Sunday, March 16, when the complete 68-team bracket is unveiled.
The First Four games on March 18-19 will showcase the four lowest-seeded at-large teams alongside the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers vying for a place in the main tournament. Then, the real frenzy begins on Thursday, March 20, as the first round commences.
2025 March Madness Dates & Schedule
Set to take place over three thrilling weeks, March Madness 2025 wraps up with the national championship on Monday, April 7, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The tournament features seven rounds, kicking off with the First Four and culminating in the highly anticipated Final Four and championship game.
Here’s a full breakdown of the 2025 March Madness schedule:
- Selection Sunday: March 16
- First Four: March 18-19 (Dayton, Ohio)
- First Round: March 20-21
- Second Round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 (San Antonio, TX)
- National Championship: April 7 (San Antonio, TX)
With these important 2025 March Madness dates confirmed, fans can begin to circle their calendars for one of the most exhilarating periods in sports!
Who Has The Best Odds To Win March Madness?
As the NCAA Tournament nears, FanDuel Sportsbook has the most recent updated betting odds. So, who has the best odds to win March Madness?
Auburn is in the lead at +340, with Duke right behind at +370. Houston, Florida and Alabama complete the top five. Expect these odds to change as teams strengthen their standings and conference tournaments unfold.
Here are the current odds to win March Madness via FanDuel:
- Auburn +340
- Duke +370
- Houston +750
- Florida +900
- Alabama +1200
- Tennessee +1500
- Iowa State +1800
- St. John’s +2500
- Arizona, Texas Tech +3500
- Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan State +4000
- Texas A&M, Wisconsin +4500
- Maryland, Michigan +5000
- Purdue, Gonzaga +5500
- Kansas +6500
- Clemson, UCLA +7500
- Connecticut, Ole Miss +8000
- Creighton, Baylor, BYU, Louisville, Marquette, Saint Mary’s, Illinois, Mississippi State +10000
The SEC looks to be a strong contender with six teams in the top ranks. Still, March Madness often brings unexpected twists. Teams like Kansas (+6500) and last year's champion UConn (+8000) are still in the mix, keeping the competition wide open.
What Is March Madness?
We’re here to help out everyone – both new and experienced. So, if you find yourself wondering, “what is March Madness?”, we’ll go ahead and answer that! March Madness is the yearly NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, where teams compete in a single-elimination format to find the national champion.
The tournament includes 68 teams, starting with the First Four and ending with the Final Four and the championship game. Teams qualify through automatic conference bids or at-large selections, with their rankings set on Selection Sunday.
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