March Madness Locations 2026
Game winners at the buzzer, bracket-busting upsets, cutting down the nets — those are the moments that define the NCAA basketball season. Yet one aspect that often flies under the radar, but deserves just as much attention, is the lineup of March Madness locations for 2026.
March Madness 2026 is shaping up to be an electrifying spectacle, with top-notch NCAAB teams like Houston, Purdue, UConn, UCLA, and Texas battling it out for the coveted national champion title. Excitement is in the air as basketball enthusiasts look forward to following thrilling matchups showcasing the skills of standout players from teams from all over the country. Outfits like Duke, BYU, and Michigan are determined to make their mark after an intense regular season, while underdog stories may also emerge.
As anticipation builds ahead of the 2025–26 college basketball season — set to tip off in November — fans are already looking ahead to the 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness Tournament. Bettors will be exploring enticing sportsbook promos and parlay options, keeping an eye out for potential upsets and the trademark unpredictability of the Big Dance. Whether it’s the early action in Dayton or the high-stakes showdowns in Indianapolis, the 2026 tournament promises to deliver unforgettable moments, fueling the nationwide passion for college basketball and cementing its place alongside the NBA and NFL as a cornerstone of American sports excitement.
Bettors should also take note of the March Madness locations for 2026. The choice of host cities can subtly influence how games play out — and, in turn, affect March Madness odds. In this guide, we’ll break down why the venue matters and highlight every 2026 tournament site worth knowing.
2026 March Madness Locations
The First Four Play-In Round
The NCAA Tournament expanded to 68 teams in 2011, introducing the “First Four” play-in round. It features the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and four lowest-seeded at-large teams in a pair of 16-seed and 12-seed matchups. This stage is the one constant in March Madness — every year, it’s hosted at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. For 2026, the First Four tips off on March 17 and 18, two days after Selection Sunday on March 15.
The First And Second Round
The madness tips off on March 19, when the 2026 NCAA Tournament’s opening round begins. Over two action-packed days — March 19–20 — 32 games will unfold across the country, from Buffalo to San Diego. The advancing teams will get just one rest day before returning to the same arena for their second-round matchups on March 21–22. This year’s First and Second Round sites include Buffalo (KeyBank Center), Greenville (Bon Secours Wellness Arena), Oklahoma City (Paycom Center), Portland (Moda Center), Tampa (Amalie Arena), Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center), San Diego (Viejas Arena), and St. Louis (Enterprise Center) — each ready to set the stage for March’s most unpredictable weekend.
Regional Semi-Finals (Sweet Sixteen) & Finals (Elite Eight)
Each March Madness tournament is divided into four regions — East, Midwest, South, and West — with every region seeded one through sixteen. The teams that survive the opening rounds advance to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight, where the stakes rise dramatically. For 2026, the regional rounds will take place from March 26–29 at major NBA and multipurpose arenas: the South Regional at Toyota Center in Houston, the West Regional at SAP Center in San Jose, the Midwest Regional at United Center in Chicago, and the East Regional at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. Each venue will host two high-intensity days of basketball, as the NCAA takes center stage before the road to Indianapolis begins.
The Final Four
It doesn’t get any bigger than this. The Final Four brings together the champions of each region for three games that decide the national title. The atmosphere is unmatched, and with so much on the line, the March Madness Final Four odds are among the most closely watched of the year. Unlike earlier rounds, these games move from traditional basketball arenas to massive football stadiums, with crowds swelling from around 20,000 to more than 60,000 fans — an intensity that can shift momentum in an instant. For 2026, the Final Four and National Championship will take place on April 4 and 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, hosted by the Horizon League and IU Indianapolis, marking another epic chapter in one of college sports’ most celebrated traditions.
Here’s a summary of the 2026 venues:
- First Four (March 17–18) – Dayton, OH – UD Arena
- First & Second Rounds (March 19–21) – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
- First & Second Rounds (March 19–21) – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- First & Second Rounds (March 19–21) – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
- First & Second Rounds (March 19–21) – Portland, OR – Moda Center
- First & Second Rounds (March 20–22) – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
- First & Second Rounds (March 20–22) – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
- First & Second Rounds (March 20–22) – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
- First & Second Rounds (March 20–22) – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
- South Regional (March 26–28) – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
- West Regional (March 26–28) – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
- Midwest Regional (March 27–29) – Chicago, IL – United Center
- East Regional (March 27–29) – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
- Final Four (April 4–6) – Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium
March Madness 2026 Teams
The 68 teams selected to compete in the 2026 NCAA March Madness Tournament will be announced on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026. Once the selection committee finalizes the full list of automatic qualifiers and at-large bids, the official tournament bracket will be revealed. We’ll update this page with the complete list as soon as it’s released.
How March Madness Sites Affect Betting
From a bettor’s perspective, it might seem like March Madness locations don’t matter — after all, every site is technically neutral. But that’s not entirely true. The venue can subtly influence outcomes and betting lines in several ways, from near-home advantages to travel demands and time-zone shifts.
Almost Home-Court Advantage
With 14 host cities in the 2026 March Madness tournament, it’s not unusual for a school to find itself playing close to home. When that happens, its fans can easily pack the arena, creating an unofficial home-court advantage that can influence the atmosphere — and the outcome. The NCAA does have a rule preventing teams from playing at sites where they appeared more than three times during the regular season, but it only applies to the first two weekends. Still, a school might end up competing within an hour’s drive of campus, effectively sidestepping that restriction. Oddsmakers often account for this subtle edge in the betting line, even if many bettors overlook it. So when the crowd feels unusually one-sided, it’s worth considering whether that extra point or two in the spread makes the “home” team the smarter pick.
Travel Fatigue Is And Isn’t A Thing
Bettors know travel can take a toll on teams — especially in basketball, where long trips and time-zone changes can throw off performance. During March Madness, those cross-country swings can matter more than fans realize; studies show that shifting time zones can disrupt players’ circadian rhythms and reaction times. Still, fatigue is a shared burden. After a grueling four-month season, every remaining team is worn down and logging miles between rounds, which tends to balance out any travel disadvantage. Ready to put your insights to work? Check out the top sportsbooks below for the latest NCAA March Madness odds.
More March Madness Resources
If you can’t get enough of March Madness, we have some extra reading for you. Check out these in-depth guides:
- March Madness odds: There’s a multitude of ways to bet on the “Big Dance.” Here is a breakdown of all the ways to do just that.
- March Madness futures: Futures betting for the NCAA Tournament is available year-round. Here are some tips to win big at the bet type.
- March Madness bracket predictions: Is picking a perfect bracket even possible? Technically, yes, but in reality, it’s virtually impossible. Understand why with this article.
- March Madness favorites: Who are the odds-on favorites to win the 2026 March Madness tourney? Here’s a look at current odds and factors to consider.
- March Madness tickets: Want a seat at the NCAA tourney? Here’s how to witness all the madness in-person.
March Madness 2026 locations FAQs
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