Selection Sunday for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is Sunday, March 15, with the 68-team bracket set to be revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. The women’s bracket will follow later that night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
That answers the main question immediately, but the bigger reason this matters now is simple: conference tournament week is already underway, automatic bids are starting to get claimed, and the bubble picture is still moving heading into next weekend. The First Four begins just two days later, on March 17-18, so the runway from bracket reveal to games is short.
Key Points
- Selection Sunday date: Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- Men’s selection show time/channel: 6 p.m. ET on CBS.
- Women’s selection show time/channel: 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- First Four starts: Tuesday, March 17, in Dayton.
What time is Selection Sunday 2026?
For the men’s NCAA tournament, Selection Sunday starts at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. NCAA.com’s official 2026 tournament schedule lists the bracket announcement at that time, with the full March Madness slate following immediately after.
For fans tracking the full day, the women’s field will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Why March Madness Selection Sunday matters more than just the date
Selection Sunday is not just a calendar marker. It is when the NCAA selection committee finalizes the 31 automatic bids and 37 at-large spots that make up the 68-team men’s field. ESPN’s Bubble Watch noted on March 7 that there are still “work to do” teams whose next results could significantly change their tournament fate, which is why conference tournament week is so important.
That also means the final days before March 15 can reshape seeding, not just the last teams in. NCAA NET rankings currently show Duke, Michigan, Arizona, and Florida among the top teams, while ESPN’s latest bracket watch says Florida is the newest projected No. 1 seed, a sign that the top line is still fluid.
This is the real Selection Sunday tension. It is not only about who gets in, but who avoids the First Four, who lands on the 8-9 line, and which contenders earn protected seeds and regional placement advantages.
Latest Selection Sunday news heading into next week
The latest news is that Champ Week is already creating pressure points. NCAA.com’s conference tournament tracker shows multiple leagues in action now, with more championship games coming next weekend and several automatic bids not being decided until March 14 and March 15.
That timing matters because “bid thieves” can still shrink the at-large pool. ESPN’s Bubble Watch also says there are currently 29 lock teams, 14 that should be in, and 11 with work to do, which underscores how unsettled the back half of the bracket remains one week out.
Another important timeline note: once the bracket is revealed, the men’s tournament moves fast. The First Four starts in Dayton on March 17 and 18, followed by the first round on March 19 and 20.
What happens after Selection Sunday?
After the bracket drops, the First Four tips off in Dayton, with the full tournament rolling into the opening round later that week. The 2026 Final Four is set for April 4 in Indianapolis, and the national championship game will be played on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
For now, though, the main answer is straightforward: Selection Sunday is March 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS for the men’s bracket reveal. The latest news is that the bubble is still active, conference tournament results are still coming in, and seeding battles are not finished yet.
When is Selection Sunday 2026? Time, Date, Latest News