March Madness 2025: Key Dates and Matchup Locations Announced

DAYTON, Ohio — The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, popularly known as March Madness, is set to kick off with Selection Sunday on March 16, when the tournament bracket will be revealed. A total of 68 teams will compete for the national title, with the first games starting a few days later on March 18 at the University of Dayton’s UD Arena.

This year’s tournament features an extensive schedule across multiple cities, with the opening rounds taking place in venues such as Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The games will follow a structured progression, culminating with the Final Four on April 5 and 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome.

The complete tournament schedule includes:

• First Four: March 18-19, UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio
• First/Second Rounds: March 20-22 (locations including Rupp Arena, Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, and Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita).
• Regionals: March 27-30, including venues such as Prudential Center in Newark and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
• Final Four: April 5 and 7, Alamodome, San Antonio.

“Dayton has been a proud host of the NCAA Tournament for over a decade, and we look forward to yet another exciting year of basketball,” said a spokesperson from the University of Dayton.

The NCAA Tournament’s structure involves several rounds, starting with the First Four, featuring the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams. This format emphasizes the dynamic competition and intensity of the tournament.

As teams prepare for the upcoming season, various schools are already securing their positions for the tournament. Notably, schools like Ohio State and Cincinnati are vying for a spot, while other teams like Dayton are deemed longshots to make the field, according to current bracket projections.

In addition to the men’s tournament, the women’s tournament will begin shortly after, starting on March 17, with its championship game set for April 6 in Tampa, Florida.

The anticipation for March Madness is palpable, as fans eagerly await the onset of one of sports’ most thrilling events.