2026 NCAA Tournament bracket: March Madness Elite Eight schedule, scores and tipoff times by region
Get the latest updates on the 2026 March Madness bracket throughout the first and second rounds of the tournament
Last week there were 68 teams dreaming of March Madness glory and cutting down the nets at the end of the NCAA Tournament, but now only six remain. That number will be cut to four on Sunday with two more Elite Eight matchups on tap.
No. 6 seed Tennessee faces No. 1 seed Michigan to kick things off (2:15 p.m. ET, CBS, March Madness Live). The Vols are riding high after a double-digit victory over Iowa State in the Sweet 16, and coach Rick Barnes is back in the Elite Eight for a third straight season.
Michigan has looked dominant all season, including in its Sweet 16 win over Alabama. With 34 wins and Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines are aiming to capitalize on a Chicago setting that could feel like a home advantage after a 14-0 start put them in the national title conversation.
The second game features two of the most successful programs of college basketball's modern era -- No. 1 seed Duke facing No. 2 seed UConn (5:05 p.m. ET, CBS, March Madness Live). UConn has won two of the past three national titles and six since 1999, a run that began with a championship win over one of Mike Krzyzewski's best Duke teams.
Duke, the No. 1 overall seed, is pursuing its sixth national title and first under coach Jon Scheyer.
Here is a full breakdown of the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Be sure to follow the live bracket throughout March Madness.
2026 NCAA Tournament bracket, scores
All times Eastern
East
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 -- Greenville
Thursday -- Buffalo
Friday, March 20 -- San Diego
Friday -- Philadelphia
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 -- Greenville
Saturday -- Buffalo
Sunday, March 22 -- San Diego
Sunday -- Philadelphia
SWEET 16
Friday, March 25 -- Washington, D.C.
ELITE EIGHT
Sunday, March 27 -- Washington D.C.
- (1) Duke vs. (2) UConn | 5:05 p.m. | CBS
West
FIRST FOUR
Tuesday, March 17 -- Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 -- Portland
- (12) High Point 83, (5) Wisconsin 82
- (4) Arkansas 97, (13) Hawaii 78
- (11) Texas 79, (6) BYU 71
- (3) Gonzaga 73, (14) Kennesaw State 64
Friday, March 20 -- San Diego
Friday -- St. Louis
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 20 -- Portland
Sunday, March 21 -- San Diego
Sunday -- St. Louis
SWEET 16
Thursday, March 26 -- San Jose
ELITE EIGHT
Saturday, March 27 -- San Jose
Midwest
FIRST FOUR
Tuesday, March 17 -- Dayton
Wednesday, March 18 -- Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 -- Buffalo
Friday, March 20-- St. Louis
Friday -- Tampa
Friday -- Philadelphia
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 -- Buffalo
Sunday, March 22 -- St. Louis
Sunday -- Tampa
Sunday -- Philadelphia
SWEET 16
Friday, March 27 -- Chicago
ELITE EIGHT
Sunday, March 28 -- Chicago
- (1) Michigan vs. (6) Tennessee | 2:15 p.m. | CBS
South
FIRST FOUR
Wednesday, March 18 -- Dayton
FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 19 -- Oklahoma City
Thursday -- Greenville
Thursday -- Oklahoma City
Friday, March 20 -- Tampa
SECOND ROUND
Saturday, March 21 -- Greenville
Saturday -- Oklahoma City
Sunday, March 22 -- Tampa
SWEET 16
Thursday, March 26 -- Houston
ELITE EIGHT
Saturday, March 28 -- Houston
Final Four
Saturday, April 4 -- 6:09 p.m. start (TBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
National Championship
Monday, April 6 -- 8:50 p.m. (TBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
