March Madness Schedule 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to the Basketball Tournament's Dates, Times, and Locations

Get ready for the ultimate college basketball extravaganza! March Madness 2024 is just around the corner, and the excitement is building. This annual tournament brings together the best teams in the NCAA Division I, competing for the prestigious national championship title.

In this informative article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide to the March Madness schedule for 2024. We’ll cover the tournament’s dates, times, and locations, so you can plan your viewing schedule accordingly. Whether you’re a die-hard college basketball fan or just looking for some exciting sports action, March Madness 2024 is sure to deliver.

So, get your brackets ready, clear your calendars, and prepare for the madness! Let’s dive into the details of the March Madness 2024 schedule.

March Madness Schedule 2024 Times

Excitement is building for the 2024 March Madness tournament. Here are 10 key points about the schedule:

Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8, 2024
Selection Sunday: March 17, 2024
First Four Games: March 19-20, 2024
Round of 64: March 21-24, 2024
Round of 32: March 23-25, 2024
Sweet 16: March 28-29, 2024
Elite Eight: March 30-31, 2024
Final Four: April 5-6, 2024
National Championship: April 8, 2024
Host Cities: Various locations across the United States

Get ready for thrilling games, Cinderella stories, and unforgettable moments as the best college basketball teams battle it out for the ultimate prize.

Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8, 2024

The 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, commonly known as March Madness, will take place from March 18 to April 8, 2024. This much-anticipated annual event brings together the best college basketball teams in the country, culminating in the crowning of the national champion.

Selection Sunday (March 17):
The Selection Committee unveils the 68-team bracket, determining the matchups for the tournament.
First Four Games (March 19-20):
Eight teams compete in four play-in games to determine the final four teams to advance to the Round of 64.
Round of 64 (March 21-24):
The 64 teams compete in a single-elimination format, with the winners advancing to the Round of 32.
Round of 32 (March 23-25):
The remaining 32 teams continue the single-elimination format, with the winners moving on to the Sweet 16.

The tournament then progresses to the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and ultimately the National Championship game, which will be held on April 8, 2024. Stay tuned for exciting games, nail-biting finishes, and unforgettable moments as the top college basketball teams vie for the coveted title of national champion.

Selection Sunday: March 17, 2024

Selection Sunday is a highly anticipated day in the college basketball calendar, marking the official start of March Madness. On this day, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee unveils the 68-team bracket, determining the matchups for the tournament.

The committee, composed of athletic directors, conference commissioners, and former coaches, spends weeks evaluating the teams’ performances, records, and strength of schedule to determine the tournament field. They also consider factors such as injuries, team chemistry, and recent form.

The selection show is a televised event, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the drama unfold. The committee announces the teams in order, starting with the four No. 1 seeds, followed by the No. 2 seeds, and so on. The teams are placed into four regions, with each region hosting a portion of the tournament.

Once the bracket is revealed, the excitement really begins. Fans analyze the matchups, predict upsets, and fill out their brackets. The Selection Committee’s decisions are often debated and dissected, with some teams feeling they were snubbed while others celebrate their inclusion in the tournament.

Selection Sunday is a day of anticipation, excitement, and the promise of three weeks of thrilling college basketball action. It’s a day when dreams are made and memories are created.

First Four Games: March 19-20, 2024

The First Four Games are a play-in round held two days before the official start of the NCAA Tournament. These games determine the final four teams to advance to the Round of 64.

The eight teams that participate in the First Four are typically the lowest-seeded teams in the tournament. They are placed into four play-in games, with the winners advancing to the Round of 64.

The First Four Games are often seen as a Cinderella’s Ball, as they provide an opportunity for smaller, less-heralded teams to make a name for themselves. These games are often filled with excitement and drama, as the teams fight for their chance to reach the main tournament.

In recent years, the First Four Games have produced some memorable moments. In 2021, Oral Roberts University, a 15-seed, upset Ohio State University, a 2-seed, in the First Four. In 2022, Saint Peter’s University, a 15-seed, became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to reach the Elite Eight after winning their First Four game.

The First Four Games are a great way to tip off the NCAA Tournament and set the stage for the excitement to come.

Round of 64: March 21-24, 2024

The Round of 64 is the first round of the NCAA Tournament proper. It features the 64 teams that have advanced from the First Four Games and the automatic qualifiers from each conference.

Single-Elimination Format:
The Round of 64 is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
16 Host Sites:
The Round of 64 games are played at 16 different host sites across the country. The sites are selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee based on factors such as arena capacity, fan interest, and geographic location.
Upsets and Cinderellas:
The Round of 64 is known for its upsets and Cinderella stories. Lower-seeded teams often pull off surprising victories over higher-seeded teams. This is due to the single-elimination format, which gives every team a chance to advance, regardless of their seed.
Thrilling Games:
The Round of 64 is often filled with exciting and memorable games. The teams are typically evenly matched, and the games are often decided by a few key plays.

The Round of 64 is a great way to kick off the NCAA Tournament. It’s a time for upsets, excitement, and the chance to see some of the best college basketball players in the country.

Round of 32: March 23-25, 2024

The Round of 32 is the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It features the 32 teams that have advanced from the Round of 64.

The Round of 32 is played at the same 16 host sites as the Round of 64. The teams are seeded 1-16 in each region, with the No. 1 seeds facing the No. 16 seeds, the No. 2 seeds facing the No. 15 seeds, and so on.

The Round of 32 is typically less unpredictable than the Round of 64, as the higher-seeded teams usually win. However, there are still occasional upsets, especially when a lower-seeded team is playing at home or has a favorable matchup.

The Round of 32 is a great opportunity to see some of the best college basketball players in the country. It’s also a time for fans to start narrowing down their brackets and picking their Final Four teams.

Here are some additional details about the Round of 32:

Single-Elimination Format:
The Round of 32 is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
8 Host Sites:
The Round of 32 games are played at 8 different host sites across the country. The sites are selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee based on factors such as arena capacity, fan interest, and geographic location.
Upsets and Cinderellas:
While the Round of 32 is less unpredictable than the Round of 64, there are still occasional upsets. This is especially true when a lower-seeded team is playing at home or has a favorable matchup.
Thrilling Games:
The Round of 32 is often filled with exciting and memorable games. The teams are typically evenly matched, and the games are often decided by a few key plays.

Sweet 16: March 28-29, 2024

The Sweet 16 is the third round of the NCAA Tournament. It features the 16 teams that have advanced from the Round of 32.

Single-Elimination Format:
The Sweet 16 is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
4 Host Sites:
The Sweet 16 games are played at 4 different host sites across the country. The sites are selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee based on factors such as arena capacity, fan interest, and geographic location.
Regional Semifinals:
The Sweet 16 games are also known as the regional semifinals. The winners of these games advance to the Elite Eight, which is the regional finals.
Top Teams Remain:
By the time the Sweet 16 rolls around, only the best teams in the country remain. This is when the tournament really starts to heat up, as the teams are all evenly matched and capable of winning the national championship.

The Sweet 16 is a great time to catch some of the most exciting college basketball games of the year. The games are often close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. It’s also a time for fans to start thinking about who they think will win the national championship.

Elite Eight: March 30-31, 2024

The Elite Eight is the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament. It features the 8 teams that have advanced from the Sweet 16.

The Elite Eight games are played at 2 different host sites, with each site hosting two regional finals. The winners of these games advance to the Final Four.

The Elite Eight is often seen as the most exciting round of the NCAA Tournament. By this point, only the best teams in the country remain, and the games are typically very close and competitive.

Here are some additional details about the Elite Eight:

Single-Elimination Format:
The Elite Eight is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
2 Host Sites:
The Elite Eight games are played at 2 different host sites across the country. The sites are selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee based on factors such as arena capacity, fan interest, and geographic location.
Regional Finals:
The Elite Eight games are also known as the regional finals. The winners of these games advance to the Final Four, which is the national semifinals.
Top Teams Remain:
By the time the Elite Eight rolls around, only the best teams in the country remain. This is when the tournament really starts to heat up, as the teams are all evenly matched and capable of winning the national championship.

The Elite Eight is a great time to catch some of the most exciting college basketball games of the year. The games are often close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. It’s also a time for fans to start thinking about who they think will win the national championship.

Final Four: April 5-6, 2024

The Final Four is the culmination of the NCAA Tournament. It features the 4 teams that have advanced from the Elite Eight.

The Final Four games are played at a single host site, which is selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee several years in advance. The site is typically a major city with a large arena and a strong fan base for college basketball.

The Final Four is a huge event, and it’s often referred to as the “biggest weekend in college basketball.” The games are typically very close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. Fans from all over the country travel to the host city to watch the games and experience the excitement of the Final Four.

Here are some additional details about the Final Four:

Single-Elimination Format:
The Final Four is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
1 Host Site:
The Final Four games are played at a single host site, which is selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee several years in advance.
National Semifinals:
The Final Four games are also known as the national semifinals. The winners of these games advance to the national championship game.
Top Teams Remain:
By the time the Final Four rolls around, only the best teams in the country remain. This is when the tournament really starts to heat up, as the teams are all evenly matched and capable of winning the national championship.

The Final Four is a great time to catch some of the most exciting college basketball games of the year. The games are often close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. It’s also a time for fans to start thinking about who they think will win the national championship.

National Championship: April 8, 2024

The National Championship game is the final game of the NCAA Tournament. It features the two teams that have advanced from the Final Four.

The National Championship game is played at a neutral site, which is selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee several years in advance. The site is typically a major city with a large arena and a strong fan base for college basketball.

The National Championship game is one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States. It’s a huge event, and it’s often referred to as the “biggest game in college basketball.” The game is typically very close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. Fans from all over the country travel to the host city to watch the game and experience the excitement of the National Championship.

Here are some additional details about the National Championship game:

Single-Elimination Format:
The National Championship game is a single-elimination game, meaning that the loser of the game is eliminated from the tournament and the winner is crowned the national champion.
1 Host Site:
The National Championship game is played at a neutral site, which is selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee several years in advance.
National Title Game:
The National Championship game is also known as the national title game. The winner of the game is awarded the NCAA Tournament trophy and is crowned the national champion.
Top Teams Remain:
By the time the National Championship game rolls around, only the best team in the country remains. This is the culmination of the entire college basketball season, and it’s a game that every team dreams of playing in.

The National Championship game is a great time to catch the most exciting college basketball game of the year. The game is often close and competitive, and the atmosphere is electric. It’s also a time for fans to celebrate the end of the college basketball season and to crown a new national champion.

Host Cities: Various locations across the United States

The NCAA Tournament is played at various locations across the United States. The host cities are selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee several years in advance.

The committee considers a number of factors when selecting host cities, including the following:

Arena Capacity:
The arena must be large enough to accommodate a large number of fans.
Fan Interest:
The city must have a strong fan base for college basketball.
Geographic Location:
The city should be located in a region of the country that is not already well-represented in the tournament.
Infrastructure:
The city must have the necessary infrastructure to support a large influx of visitors, including hotels, restaurants, and transportation.

The host cities for the 2024 NCAA Tournament have not yet been announced, but they will likely be a mix of major cities and smaller cities with a strong tradition of college basketball.

Here are some of the cities that have hosted NCAA Tournament games in recent years:

Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
New York City, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Phoenix, AZ
San Antonio, TX

These are just a few of the many cities that have hosted NCAA Tournament games. The tournament is a truly national event, and it’s a great opportunity for fans from all over the country to come together and celebrate the sport of college basketball.

FAQ

Have questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:

Question 1: When is the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 1: The 2024 NCAA Tournament will take place from March 18 to April 8, 2024.

Question 2: How many teams participate in the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 2: A total of 68 teams participate in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Question 3: What is the format of the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 3: The 2024 NCAA Tournament consists of four rounds: the First Four, the Round of 64, the Round of 32, the Sweet 16, the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the National Championship game.

Question 4: Where will the 2024 NCAA Tournament games be played?
Answer 4: The 2024 NCAA Tournament games will be played at various locations across the United States. The host cities have not yet been announced.

Question 5: How can I watch the 2024 NCAA Tournament games?
Answer 5: The 2024 NCAA Tournament games will be televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. You can also stream the games online via NCAA.com and the NCAA Tournament app.

Question 6: Who are the favorites to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 6: The favorites to win the 2024 NCAA Tournament will vary depending on how the teams perform during the regular season and the conference tournaments. Some of the teams that are typically considered to be among the favorites include Duke, UNC, Kentucky, and Gonzaga.

Question 7: What are some interesting facts about the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 7: Here are some interesting facts about the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

This will be the 80th edition of the NCAA Tournament.
The tournament will expand to 68 teams for the first time since 2011.
The First Four games will be played in Dayton, Ohio, for the 14th consecutive year.
The Final Four will be played in Houston, Texas, for the first time since 2016.

We hope this FAQ has answered some of your questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Be sure to check back for more updates and information as the tournament approaches.

In addition to the FAQ, here are some tips for enjoying the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

Fill out a bracket:
Create your own bracket and see how well you can predict the tournament results. There are many different bracket pools available online and in newspapers.
Watch the games with friends and family:
The NCAA Tournament is a great opportunity to get together with friends and family and enjoy some exciting college basketball.
Follow the tournament on social media:
Stay up-to-date on the latest tournament news and highlights by following the NCAA Tournament on social media.
Attend a game in person:
If you have the opportunity, attending an NCAA Tournament game in person is an unforgettable experience.

Tips

Here are some tips for getting the most out of the 2024 March Madness Tournament:

Tip 1: Fill out a bracket.

Filling out a bracket is a great way to get involved in the tournament and test your college basketball knowledge. There are many different bracket pools available online and in newspapers. You can also create your own bracket and share it with your friends and family.

Tip 2: Watch the games with friends and family.

The NCAA Tournament is a great opportunity to get together with friends and family and enjoy some exciting college basketball. Make a party out of it by serving food and drinks, and cheering on your favorite teams together.

Tip 3: Follow the tournament on social media.

Stay up-to-date on the latest tournament news and highlights by following the NCAA Tournament on social media. You can also follow your favorite teams and players to get updates on their games.

Tip 4: Attend a game in person.

If you have the opportunity, attending an NCAA Tournament game in person is an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere is electric, and you’ll get to see some of the best college basketball players in the country.

Bonus Tip: Plan ahead.

If you’re planning to watch the tournament games at a bar or restaurant, be sure to make reservations or arrive early to get a good seat. You can also check the NCAA Tournament website or app to find out where the games are being shown in your area.

We hope these tips help you enjoy the 2024 March Madness Tournament to the fullest!

The NCAA Tournament is a truly special event, and it’s a great time to celebrate the sport of college basketball. Whether you’re a casual fan or a diehard enthusiast, we hope you enjoy the tournament and create some lasting memories.

Conclusion

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is shaping up to be an exciting one. With a new format and a wide-open field, there are plenty of storylines to follow. Whether you’re a fan of a major powerhouse or a small Cinderella team, there’s sure to be something for everyone in this year’s tournament.

Here are some of the main points to remember about the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

The tournament will take place from March 18 to April 8, 2024.
A total of 68 teams will participate in the tournament.
The tournament will consist of four rounds: the First Four, the Round of 64, the Round of 32, the Sweet 16, the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the National Championship game.
The host cities for the tournament have not yet been announced.
The games will be televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.

We hope you enjoy the 2024 NCAA Tournament and create some lasting memories. Whether you’re watching the games at home, at a bar or restaurant, or in person, be sure to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the excitement of March Madness.

Good luck to your favorite teams!

“May the madness begin!”