March Madness 2026: First Four Kicks Off

0:00On March this 10th, the 2026 NCAA Tournament tips off this week, starting with first four games Tuesday and Wednesday night in Dayton. The 60-18 field will play first-round matchups Thursday and Friday in cities like Greenville, Buffalo, Portland, and San Diego. Topsees include Duke in the East, Arizona in the West, Michigan in the Midwest, and Florida in the South, facing off against underdogs right away. Expect a packed opening week as the bracket shrinks fast. With second-round games, Saturday and Sunday, add venues from Buffalo to Tampa. CBS Sports has full coverage across CBS, TBS, TNT, and True TV, plus live brackets and matchup breakdowns to track every twist. Fans are buzzing with excitement, filling out brackets and entering challenges for prizes like trips to next year's Final Four. It's prime time for office pools and family rivalries, as Cinderella stories from teams like Siena or Highpoint could shake things up early.

1:02Later rounds keep the pace hot, hitting Sweet 16 Thursday and Friday in Houston, San Jose, Chicago, and Washington. Elite 8 follows over the weekend, leading to the Final Four on April 4th and National Championship on April 6th, both at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Bookmark your go-to sources for scores and analysis, because March Madness won't slow down until a champion is crowned.