March Madness remains one of the most exciting and beloved events in American sports. Since its debut in 1939, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament has captivated fans every spring with dramatic upsets, Cinderella runs, and the crowning of a national champion. Now more than eight decades later, March Madness stands as a defining part of American culture—its format and reach continually evolving.

The 2026 NCAA Tournament will tip off on March 17, 2026, and conclude with the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from April 4 to 6, 2026, marking another milestone in the event’s enduring legacy.

March Madness History

The NCAA Tournament tipped off in 1939 with just eight teams, as Oregon captured the inaugural championship with a 46–33 victory over Ohio State. Twelve years later, in 1951, the field expanded to 16 teams, marking the first of many growth spurts. A major shift arrived in 1975 with the broader introduction of at-large bids, allowing deserving programs beyond conference champions to compete for the title.

The modern tournament structure began to take shape in 1979, when official seeding was introduced and the field expanded to 40 teams. Just six years later, in 1985, the NCAA adopted the now-familiar 64-team format, featuring four balanced regions of 16 teams each.

In 2001, a single play-in game briefly expanded the field to 65, paving the way for the “First Four” format introduced in 2011, which brought the tournament to its current 68-team structure. More than eight decades after its debut, March Madness has evolved from a small regional competition into a nationwide phenomenon—culminating each spring in the unforgettable drama of the Final Four .

March Madness Timeline

Here is a timeline of key events in the history of this NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament:

  • 1939: The first NCAA tournament is held with eight teams participating. Oregon defeats Ohio State 46–33 to claim the inaugural title.
  • 1951: The field expands to 16 teams.
  • 1975: The introduction of at-large bids ends the rule that only conference champions may participate.
  • 1979: Official seeding is introduced for the first time, and the field expands to 40 teams.
  • 1985: The tournament grows to 64 teams, featuring four regions of 16 teams each—a structure that defines the modern bracket.
  • 2001: A single play-in game is added, temporarily expanding the field to 65 teams.
  • 2011: The “First Four” play-in games debut, bringing the tournament to its current 68-team format.
  • 2020: The tournament is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time it is not held.
  • 2021: The entire tournament takes place in Indiana within a controlled “bubble” environment.
  • 2025: The field remains at 68 teams, with ongoing discussions about potential future expansion. For now, March Madness continues to captivate the nation every spring as one of America’s most beloved sporting traditions.