It’s the most wonderful three weeks in sports. Sixty-eight men’s teams and sixty-eight women’s teams. Two brackets. Two championships. One unforgettable month of basketball.
Whether you’re following a favorite program across the country, looking for a first-round game close to home, dreaming of a Final Four, or doing all of the above — March Madness 2026 has something for every kind of fan. The men’s tournament concludes in Indianapolis. The women’s in Phoenix. Both are must-see events, and both are fully accessible on StubHub.
And this year, StubHub has made it easier than ever to find and follow women’s sports moments that matter. HerSportsHub — StubHub’s dedicated destination for women’s sports fans — launched this month just in time for the tournament. More on that below.
This newsroom article is your complete planning guide for both tournaments: full schedules, every host city, the smartest ways to buy tickets, what to expect at venues, and how to make the most of the entire experience — start to finish.
Both Tournaments at a Glance: Mark These Dates
Both brackets are revealed on the same night — Selection Sunday, March 15 — making it one of the most exciting evenings on the sports calendar. The men’s bracket drops first on CBS at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the women’s bracket on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
Men’s Tournament Schedule
| Round | Dates | Location |
| Selection Sunday | Sunday, March 15 | CBS, 6 p.m. ET |
| First Four | Tues. March 17 – Wed. March 18 | Dayton, OH |
| First Round (Round of 64) | Thurs. March 19 – Fri. March 20 | Multiple cities |
| Second Round (Round of 32) | Sat. March 21 – Sun. March 22 | Multiple cities |
| Sweet 16 | Thurs. March 26 – Fri. March 27 | Regional sites |
| Elite Eight | Sat. March 28 – Sun. March 29 | Regional sites |
| Final Four | Saturday, April 4 | Indianapolis, IN |
| National Championship | Monday, April 6 | Indianapolis, IN |
Women’s Tournament Schedule
| Round | Dates | Location |
| Selection Sunday | Sunday, March 15 | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET |
| First Four | Wed. March 18 – Thurs. March 19 | Campus sites |
| First Round (Round of 64) | Fri. March 20 – Sat. March 21 | Campus sites (top 16 seeds host) |
| Second Round (Round of 32) | Sun. March 22 – Mon. March 23 | Campus sites |
| Sweet 16 | Fri. March 27 – Sat. March 28 | Fort Worth, TX & Sacramento, CA |
| Elite Eight | Sun. March 29 – Mon. March 30 | Fort Worth, TX & Sacramento, CA |
| Final Four | Friday, April 3 | Phoenix, AZ |
| National Championship | Sunday, April 5 | Phoenix, AZ |
One key structural difference worth knowing upfront: the women’s first and second rounds are played at campus sites, with the top 16 seeds hosting in their home arenas. That means exact first-round locations won’t be confirmed until the bracket drops on March 15 — but it also means marquee programs like UConn, South Carolina, and UCLA could be hosting in their own buildings, creating some of the loudest and most passionate atmospheres in all of college basketball. Starting with the Sweet 16, the women’s tournament moves to fixed neutral sites: Fort Worth, Texas, and Sacramento, California, host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, while the Final Four and National Championship take place at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The men’s tournament uses neutral-site venues throughout, with first and second-round action spread across eight cities before consolidating to four regional sites and finally Indianapolis.
Where Are the Games? Men’s & Women’s Host Cities
Men’s Tournament: First & Second Round Cities
The eight host cities for men’s opening-weekend action in 2026 are Buffalo, NY; Greenville, SC; Oklahoma City, OK; Portland, OR; Tampa, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Diego, CA; and St. Louis, MO. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight consolidate to four regional sites: Houston (South Region), San Jose (West Region), Chicago (Midwest Region), and Washington, D.C. (East Region). The Final Four and championship are at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis — the city’s ninth time hosting, with a capacity exceeding 70,000 for basketball.
East Coast fans: Philadelphia and Buffalo for first weekend; Washington D.C. for the East Regional.
Southern fans: Tampa and Greenville to start; Houston for the South Regional.
Midwest fans: St. Louis for opening weekend; Chicago for the Midwest Regional — and Indianapolis for the grand finale.
West Coast fans: Portland and San Diego first; San Jose for the West Regional.
Women’s Tournament: Key Neutral Sites
Because the women’s first two rounds are hosted by top seeds at campus venues, the known fixed neutral-site locations are:
- Sweet 16 & Elite Eight: Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA — March 27–30
- Final Four & Championship: Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona — home to both the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury — April 3 & 5
The women’s bracket will transition to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, with matchups set to take place in either Fort Worth or Sacramento, depending on which side of the bracket teams land on. Phoenix is expected to draw a massive crowd, particularly given the star power in this year’s field — UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, and TCU among the programs generating the most attention heading into Selection Sunday.
No matter which tournament (or both) you’re following, there’s almost certainly a host city within reach. That geographic spread is one of the things that makes March Madness so uniquely accessible compared to other major sporting events — the tournament comes to you.
How to Buy Tickets on StubHub: Men’s & Women’s
Finding tickets to either tournament is straightforward on StubHub, but a few key differences between the men’s and women’s formats affect your buying strategy.
How Tournament Tickets Work
For the men’s tournament, neutral-site tickets are distributed through the NCAA, participating schools, conference affiliates, and official channel partners. Once those initial allocations are exhausted, StubHub is where most fans find their seats — with sellers listing available tickets at market-driven prices and every purchase backed by the FanProtect Guarantee.
For the women’s tournament, the campus-site format for the first two rounds means tickets for early games are controlled by the host school. The First Four, First and Second Rounds of the Women’s March Madness are all played at campus sites, with the top 16-seeded teams hosting their opponents at home. Once games move to neutral-site regionals in Fort Worth, Sacramento, or Phoenix, availability on StubHub opens up with full FanProtect coverage.
Timing: When to Buy
Before Selection Sunday: For the men’s tournament, fans who know they want to attend games in a specific city can sometimes find better value on session tickets before matchups are set. For the women’s tournament, early buyers targeting Fort Worth, Sacramento, or Phoenix regional tickets can do the same.
Right after Selection Sunday: Prices move most sharply for both tournaments in the 24–48 hours following bracket announcement. If a high-profile program or local favorite lands in a nearby site, demand spikes fast.
Mid-week lull: Prices typically ease slightly in the days between the bracket reveal and opening games. If you’re flexible on matchups, Tuesday–Wednesday can offer better windows for both tournaments.
Day-of and last-minute: StubHub’s last-minute availability is one of its biggest advantages. For less high-profile matchups in both tournaments, prices often drop as sellers look to move inventory. For must-see games — top seeds, rivalry matchups, bracket-busting upsets — don’t wait.
Women’s Tournament Tickets: A Growing Opportunity
Women’s college basketball interest has been surging. UConn enters 2026 as a buzzsaw, winners of 48 straight games. Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd are the sport’s deadliest duo, combining to average 36 points in fewer than 30 minutes of action. UCLA and South Carolina aren’t far behind, spearheaded by Lauren Betts and Joyce Edwards, respectively. Games featuring these top-tier programs routinely sell out campus sites, and Phoenix Final Four tickets are expected to be among the most in-demand of the spring.
The numbers back this up. StubHub data shows WNBA demand surged +360% year-over-year during the Olympic year, while NWSL demand jumped +150%. In the 30 days following the Paris Games, demand accelerated again — up +170% for the WNBA and +330% for the NWSL. The women’s sports fanbase has also expanded significantly, with unique buyer states up +64% and countries up +33%. That momentum has carried directly into the college game.
If you’re looking for a single destination to explore women’s sports tickets across the NCAA Tournament and beyond, StubHub’s newly launched HerSportsHub is built exactly for that. Launched this Women’s History Month, HerSportsHub is a dedicated hub spotlighting the biggest upcoming moments across NCAA Women’s Basketball, the NWSL, the PWHL, and more — with real-time ticket availability and smart buying guidance all in one place. Read the full announcement here.
That said, the women’s tournament also offers some of the best value in March for fans who want a memorable live experience without Final Four prices. Early-round campus games at mid-major hosts often carry accessible ticket prices and an intimate atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else in big-time college sports.
Browse women’s NCAA tournament tickets on StubHub →
Explore HerSportsHub for all women’s sports tickets →
Planning Your Trip: Logistics for Both Tournaments
Book Early — Especially for Phoenix and Indianapolis
Both Final Four cities will fill up fast. Indianapolis is a seasoned March Madness host — the infrastructure is excellent, but downtown hotels within walking distance of Lucas Oil still book up well in advance. Phoenix is hosting the women’s Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center, and combined with the star power in this year’s field, accommodations will go quickly.
If you’re planning to attend either Final Four, book now — even before you know which teams will be playing.
For men’s first and second-round games, remember you have just four days between Selection Sunday (March 15) and the opening Thursday (March 19). That’s a tight window for flights and hotels in cities like Philadelphia or San Diego during a busy spring travel weekend.
Getting Around the Key Venues
- Indianapolis (Men’s Final Four) — Lucas Oil Stadium: Located in downtown, easily walkable from the hotel corridor along South Meridian and Georgia Street. IndyGo public transit serves the area well.
- Phoenix (Women’s Final Four) — Mortgage Matchup Center: Downtown Phoenix, served by Valley Metro Rail. Plan for warm weather — Phoenix in early April averages highs in the low 80s. A great city for fans traveling from colder climates.
- Chicago (Men’s Midwest Regional) — United Center: Take the CTA Blue Line. Traffic in the West Loop on game days is heavy — the L is strongly recommended.
- Fort Worth (Women’s Sweet 16/Elite Eight) — Dickies Arena: Near downtown Fort Worth, accessible via Trinity Metro bus or rideshare. An easy drive from Dallas as well.
- Sacramento (Women’s Sweet 16/Elite Eight) — Golden 1 Center: Downtown Sacramento, accessible via Sacramento Regional Transit light rail and walkable from the hotel district.
- Houston (Men’s South Regional) — Toyota Center: Downtown, accessible via METRORail Red Line.
What to Expect at the Venue
Men’s first and second-round doubleheaders mean you’re typically attending two full games in one visit. Gates open about 90 minutes before the first tip. Arrive early for high-demand matchups where entry lines stretch.
Women’s campus-site games at top seeds’ home arenas have a different energy — you’re in a school’s home building, surrounded by students and passionate fans. These are some of the loudest environments in all of college basketball, and the intimacy makes them special.
For both tournaments, most NCAA-sanctioned events follow a clear-bag policy (clear bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″). Always check the specific venue policy before you go.
The Fan Experience: What Makes Both Tournaments Special
There’s a reason March Madness is consistently ranked among the most-watched and most-anticipated events in American sports. The men’s tournament has never produced a verifiably perfect bracket — the mathematical odds stand at roughly 1 in 9.2 quintillion. Every 12-over-5 upset, every buzzer-beater, every mid-major Cinderella run is why fans show up in person.
The women’s tournament has its own brand of magic, and it’s been growing every year. The 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament promises to be an exciting event, with powerhouse programs like UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas all vying for the national championship. Last year’s tournament set record TV viewership numbers, and attendance figures at campus sites and regional venues have climbed steadily, reflecting how the sport’s popularity has transformed at every level. StubHub’s own data tells the same story — and it’s why we built HerSportsHub: because the women’s sports fan isn’t a future audience. She’s already here, buying early, buying in groups, and coming back.
Being in the arena for either tournament — when a 13 seed shocks a blue blood on the men’s side, or when a star player delivers a career performance on the women’s side — is something you simply cannot replicate from a couch. That’s the draw of March. Not just watching basketball, but being part of the inevitable moments that define the sport for years.
For families and younger fans, first and second-round games in both tournaments offer the most accessible entry point: lower prices, a variety of matchups, and venues in cities that don’t require cross-country travel.
Your Complete March Madness Checklist
Before Selection Sunday (March 15)
- [ ] Set up your StubHub account so you can move fast when brackets drop
- [ ] Identify which men’s host cities are closest to you for first/second-round games
- [ ] Decide if you want to target women’s regional tickets in Fort Worth, Sacramento, or Phoenix
- [ ] Book refundable hotel rates in host cities you’re targeting — especially Indianapolis and Phoenix
- [ ] Watch the men’s bracket reveal on CBS at 6 p.m. ET, then the women’s on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET
After Selection Sunday
- [ ] Check men’s NCAA tournament tickets on StubHub immediately after the bracket drops
- [ ] Check women’s NCAA tournament tickets on StubHub — campus sites for early rounds, neutral sites for regionals and Final Four
- [ ] Lock in travel and lodging for target games within 24–48 hours of the bracket reveal
- [ ] Review your specific venue’s clear-bag policy before game day
Game Day
- [ ] Confirm mobile ticket delivery in your StubHub account — most NCAA venues use mobile entry
- [ ] Arrive 90 minutes early for men’s doubleheader sessions (first and second rounds)
- [ ] Use public transit or buy parking passes on StubHub
Ready to Find Your Seats?
Both tournaments tip off in just over a week. Tickets for high-demand games move quickly — especially in the 48 hours following Selection Sunday. Whether you’re going to your first March Madness game or your fifteenth, whether you’re following the men’s bracket, the women’s, or both, StubHub has you covered from the First Four all the way to Indianapolis and Phoenix.
Every ticket purchase is backed by the FanProtect Guarantee. If something goes wrong, StubHub will find you comparable or better tickets, or give you your money back.
Six days until Selection Sunday. Two brackets. Two championships. Let’s go.
Browse men’s NCAA tournament tickets →
Browse women’s NCAA tournament tickets →
Explore HerSportsHub — StubHub’s home for women’s sports →
Related reading:
- HerSportsHub Is Here — StubHub Newsroom
- HerSportsHub: Women’s Sports Tickets on StubHub
- How StubHub Works: Your Guide to Buying Tickets Safely
- 10 Things Every First-Time Ticket Buyer Should Know (Week 9 post)
- StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee Explained
- NCAA.com: 2026 Men’s Tournament Bracket & Schedule
- NCAA.com: 2026 Women’s Tournament Bracket & Schedule
- ESPN: Men’s NCAA Tournament Schedule & Sites
- ESPN: Women’s NCAA Tournament Schedule & Sites
StubHub is a leading global ticket marketplace. Every order is backed by the FanProtect Guarantee. Learn more about how StubHub works.