Question 1

When is the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 NCAA Tournament typically runs from mid-March through early April. Selection Sunday, when the bracket is revealed, is usually the second Sunday of March. The First Four games begin that week, followed by the main tournament rounds.

Question 2

When will the 2026 bracket be announced?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket will be announced on Selection Sunday in March 2026. The selection committee reveals all 68 teams, their seeds, and first-round matchups during the Selection Sunday broadcast.

Question 3

How does the NCAA Tournament bracket work?

Accepted Answer

The NCAA Tournament is a 68-team single-elimination tournament. After the First Four play-in games, 64 teams compete in a bracket divided into four regions (East, West, South, Midwest). Each region has 16 teams seeded 1-16. Teams play through the Round of 64, Round of 32, Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four to reach the championship game.

Question 4

What do the seeds mean in March Madness?

Accepted Answer

Seeds rank teams 1-16 in each region based on their regular season performance. The #1 seed is the strongest team in that region, while #16 is the weakest. Higher seeds play lower seeds in early rounds (1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, etc.), giving better teams an advantage. Historically, 1-seeds are most likely to reach the Final Four.

Question 5

How do I fill out a March Madness bracket?

Accepted Answer

To fill out a bracket, pick a winner for each of the 63 games. Start with the Round of 64 matchups and advance your picks through each round until you've chosen a champion. Consider team seeds, recent performance, matchup history, and injuries. Many use strategies like avoiding all 12-seeds beating 5-seeds or picking at least one Cinderella team.

2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket

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