March Madness Begins: NCAA Tournament Dates and Sites Announced

DAYTON, Ohio – March Madness officially begins Tuesday, March 18, 2025, with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, preceding the full tournament schedule that leads to the Final Four in San Antonio.

The NCAA announced the tournament schedule, highlighting key dates and venues. Fans can expect an action-packed series that culminates in the championship game on April 7 in San Antonio’s Alamodome.

The First Four games will take place on March 18 and 19 at UD Arena, hosted by the University of Dayton. The first and second rounds follow on March 20 through 23, with multiple sites hosting games across the country.

Notable venues include Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, and the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Both venues will host first and second round action on various dates throughout the tournament. The regions will be held throughout the country, with the East Regional hosted at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and the South Regional at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Assistant AD of Michigan State University, Darien Harris, expressed excitement for the upcoming tournament. “It’s always a thrill to see the best of college basketball compete. Every team brings its unique story to March Madness,” he said.

As the tournament progresses, the Sweet 16 will take place on March 27 and 28, leading into the Elite Eight scheduled for March 29 and 30. The teams that advance will have their eyes set on the coveted title.

The culmination of this yearly tradition will occur during the Final Four on April 5, where the remaining teams will battle it out for a chance at the national championship on April 7.

The 2025 tournament promises to be thrilling, with fans gearing up for the intense competition expected in each matchup.

The official bracket and additional tournament information will be available closer to the tournament dates via NCAA’s official channels.