New College Basketball Crown Tournament Set for 2025

Las Vegas, NV – The world of college basketball is about to witness a new chapter with the introduction of the College Basketball Crown, a postseason tournament aimed at providing an opportunity for teams from major conferences who miss the NCAA Tournament.

Slated to take place from March 31 to April 6, 2025, the inaugural tournament is being organized by Fox Sports and the Anschutz Entertainment Group. This postseason event will feature 16 teams in a single-elimination format, with selections assured from the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East conferences, each contributing two teams to the field.

“The College Basketball Crown presents an exciting alternate for teams and fans, extending the season for those clubs that might otherwise go home early,” said a spokesperson for Fox Sports. While further details on team selections and matchups are still pending, the bracket is expected to be unveiled shortly.

The venue for all tournament games will be Las Vegas, with the initial rounds hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, followed by semifinals and finals at the T-Mobile Arena. All games will be broadcast on Fox and FS1, with first-round matchups airing on FS1 and the semifinals and championship match on Fox.

In conjunction with the College Basketball Crown, the NCAA Tournament will also unfold, commencing on March 18, 2025, featuring 68 teams competing for the national title in multiple locations across the country, culminating in the championship game on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

The NCAA Tournament will see 31 automatic bids awarded to conference champions, while 37 at-large selections will fill out the remainder of the bracket. “Selection Sunday,” when teams will be announced, is set for March 16, 2025.

“March Madness is an exhilarating time for college basketball, and with new tournaments like the College Basketball Crown, it creates more opportunities for teams to showcase their talent,” said ESPN analyst Myron Medcalf.

With an expansion of tournaments, 148 teams will participate in postseason play by 2025, including the NCAA Tournament and other established events. The College Basketball Crown’s introduction is expected to generate significant interest among fans, particularly as teams vie for the opportunity to clinch a title after missing out on NCAA bids.