Selection Sunday Kicks Off Anticipation for March Madness 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Selection Sunday for the 2025 NCAA March Madness tournament is set for Sunday, March 16. The highly anticipated event will reveal the 68-team brackets for both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, setting the stage for an exciting month of college basketball.

The men’s tournament bracket will be unveiled during a live show on CBS starting at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the women’s bracket on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. This annual selection event is crucial for determining the teams that will compete in the tournaments, which will take place throughout March and April.

The first round of the men’s NCAA tournament begins on Tuesday, March 18, with the First Four games taking place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. The Final Four will be hosted at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 5, culminating in the national championship game on Monday, April 7.

For the women’s tournament, the First Four games will kick off on Wednesday, March 19, with the Final Four scheduled for Friday, April 4, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, and the national championship set for Sunday, April 6.

The 2025 men’s tournament will follow a structured path, beginning with four preliminary games to narrow the field to 64 teams. The winners of advancing four regional tournaments will ultimately vie for the championship in San Antonio.

Andy Katz, an insider with NCAA.com, will reveal his final predictions for the men’s bracket on Selection Sunday, providing fans with insights ahead of the matches. “The excitement is palpable as teams await their fates and fans prepare for the thrill of March Madness,” Katz commented.

This year’s tournament sites include high-profile arenas such as Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky; Chase Center in San Francisco; and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, which is serving as the venue for the Midwest Regional.

As teams prepare for the tournaments, the announcement of the small college player of the year will take place on April 7, further enriching the storyline of the March Madness narrative.

With extensive coverage across CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV, college basketball fans will have plenty of options to catch the games. YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and other streaming services provide comprehensive packages for viewers looking to enjoy the full tournament experience.

“March Madness not only showcases the best of college basketball but also captures the hearts of millions across the country,” said NCAA spokesperson, Mark Emmert. “We encourage everyone to tune in and support their favorite teams as they contend for the national title.”

As fans gear up, the excitement of potential upsets and memorable moments looms large, with hopes of buzzer-beaters and underdog stories that define the essence of March Madness.