The 2026 NCAA Tournament is here, and basketball fans across the world are ready for the madness. From buzzer-beaters to Cinderella stories, March Madness delivers nonstop action. If you’re looking for the complete schedule, TV channels, and live streaming details, this guide covers everything you need to follow every game of the tournament.
📅 March Madness – NCAA Tournament 2026 Full Schedule
The tournament begins with the First Four on March 17–18 and concludes with the National Championship on April 6, 2026. Here’s a structured breakdown of key rounds:
📅 First Four – March 17–18
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV / Live Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17 | No. 16 UMBC vs. No. 16 Howard | 6:40 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mar 17 | No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 NC State | 9:15 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mar 18 | No. 16 Prairie View A&M vs. No. 16 Lehigh | 6:40 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mar 18 | No. 11 Miami (Ohio) vs. No. 11 SMU | 9:15 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
🔥 Round 1 – March 19
| Game | Time (ET) | TV / Live Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State vs. TCU | 12:15 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Nebraska vs. Troy | 12:40 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Louisville vs. South Florida | 1:30 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Wisconsin vs. High Point | 1:50 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Duke vs. Siena | 2:50 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Vanderbilt vs. McNeese | 3:15 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Michigan State vs. North Dakota State | 4:05 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Arkansas vs. Hawaii | 4:25 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| North Carolina vs. VCU | 6:50 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Michigan vs. UMBC/Howard | 7:10 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| BYU vs. Texas/NC State | 7:25 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Saint Mary’s vs. Texas A&M | 7:35 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Illinois vs. Penn | 9:25 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Georgia vs. Saint Louis | 9:45 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Gonzaga vs. Kennesaw State | 10:00 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Houston vs. Idaho | 10:10 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
⚡ Round 1 – March 20
| Game | Time (ET) | TV / Live Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky vs. Santa Clara | 12:15 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Texas Tech vs. Akron | 12:40 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Arizona vs. LIU | 1:35 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Virginia vs. Wright State | 1:50 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Iowa State vs. Tennessee State | 2:50 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Alabama vs. Hofstra | 3:15 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Villanova vs. Utah State | 4:10 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio)/SMU | 4:25 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Clemson vs. Iowa | 6:50 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| St. John’s vs. Northern Iowa | 7:10 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| UCLA vs. UCF | 7:25 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Purdue vs. Queens | 7:35 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
| Florida vs. Prairie View A&M/Lehigh | 9:25 PM | TNT, DIRECTV |
| Kansas vs. Cal Baptist | 9:45 PM | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| UConn vs. Furman | 10:00 PM | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Miami (Fla.) vs. Missouri | 10:10 PM | truTV, DIRECTV |
🏀 Round 2 – March 21–22
| Date | Game | Time | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 21 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 21 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 21 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 21 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 22 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 22 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 22 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 22 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
🌟 Sweet 16 – March 26–27
| Date | Game | Time | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 26 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 26 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 26 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 27 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 27 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 27 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Mar 27 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBD |
🏆 Elite Eight – March 28–29
| Date | Game | Time | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mar 28 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mar 29 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Mar 29 | TBD vs. TBD | TBD | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
🎯 Final Four – April 4
| Game | Time | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| TBD vs. TBD | TBD | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
🥇 National Championship – April 6
| Game | Time (ET) | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:50 PM | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
🏀 First Four (March 17–18)
The opening games feature teams battling for a spot in the main bracket.
- Games air on truTV and stream via DIRECTV
- Matchups include teams like UMBC vs. Howard and Texas vs. NC State
🔥 First Round (March 19–20)
This is where the excitement truly begins, with 64 teams competing across two packed days.
Key matchups include:
- Duke vs. Siena
- Michigan vs. UMBC/Howard
- North Carolina vs. VCU
- Arizona vs. LIU
- Purdue vs. Queens
📺 Broadcast Channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV
📱 Streaming Options: DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+
Expect non-stop games from afternoon to late night, making it one of the most thrilling stages of the tournament.
⚡ Second Round (March 21–22)
Winners from Round 1 advance to the Round of 32. Matchups will be finalized after the first round.
- Broadcast remains on CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV
- Streaming continues via DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+
🌟 Sweet 16 (March 26–27)
The competition tightens as only 16 teams remain.
- Channels: CBS, TBS, truTV
- Streaming: DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+
🏆 Elite Eight (March 28–29)
The final step before the Final Four.
- Channels: CBS, TBS, truTV
- Streaming: DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+
🎯 Final Four (April 4)
The last four teams battle for a spot in the championship game.
- Channels: TBS, truTV
- Streaming: DIRECTV
🥇 National Championship (April 6)
- 🕗 Time: 8:50 PM ET
- 📺 Channels: TBS, truTV
- 📱 Streaming: DIRECTV
This game decides the 2026 NCAA champion in what promises to be an unforgettable finale.
📺 How to Watch March Madness 2026
Fans can catch every game across multiple platforms:
📡 TV Channels
- CBS
- TBS
- TNT
- truTV
📲 Live Streaming Services
- DIRECTV (Full tournament coverage)
- Fubo (CBS games)
- Paramount+ (CBS games)
💡 Pro Tip: For full coverage across all channels, DIRECTV offers access to CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV in one place.
📊 Tournament Broadcast Overview
| Round | TV Channels | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| First Four | truTV | DIRECTV |
| First Round | CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV | DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Second Round | CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV | DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Sweet 16 | CBS, TBS, truTV | DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Elite Eight | CBS, TBS, truTV | DIRECTV, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| Final Four | TBS, truTV | DIRECTV |
| Championship | TBS, truTV | DIRECTV |
🚀 Best Way to Stream Every Game
If you don’t want to miss a single moment, DIRECTV is the most complete option, offering access to all major sports channels in one subscription. It also includes additional networks like ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network, making it ideal for year-round sports fans.
👉 Start with a free trial and enjoy uninterrupted March Madness action without cable.
📝 Final Thoughts
March Madness 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments yet. With top programs like Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Purdue in action, fans can expect thrilling upsets and unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re filling out your bracket or just tuning in for the biggest games, this guide ensures you know exactly when and where to watch every matchup.