The 2021 NCAA tournament is coming up. And while it’s great to get to know the field of 68 teams and download print support to get in on the action, it’s all in vain if you don’t know when the games themselves are being played! That’s why we’re here.
It has been almost two years since the last game of the NCAA Tournament, but that changes on March 18, when the First Four arrive and signify the beginning of the long-awaited return of Big Dance. After the COVID-19 pandemic swept through last year’s event, it will be a joyous occasion for diehard college basketball fans and casual observers alike.
There will be some unique difficulties in this year’s tournament, as the event will be held entirely in Indiana, with most games taking place in Indianapolis. In addition, instead of the first two rounds being played from Thursday to Sunday, they will be played from Friday to Monday this season. The changes continue with Sweet 16 and Elite Eight running from Saturday to Tuesday, as opposed to the usual Thursday to Sunday schedule. It all ends with the Final Four on Saturday, April 3, and the national championship on April 5.
Below you will find the schedule for this year’s NCAA Tournament. It has not yet been completed, as we still need to know the formal tip times, announcer times and TV assignments – but all of this will be announced on Selection Sunday at 6 pm ET on CBS. For now, let’s take a look at the schedule of the First Four until the game for the national title.
Be sure to check back often, as this story will be updated each time the NCAA Tournament schedule is adjusted. The games will be streamed on CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV – and as always, you can also watch all of the tournament games via March Madness Live starting Thursday night with the First Four.
Start a group of keys to compete against friends or fill in your key for the chance to win a new Nissan Rogue and a college basketball dream trip. Get in on the action today!
NCAA 2021 tournament schedule, dates
Selection Sunday
Sunday, March 14 – 6:00 pm (CBS)
First Four
Thursday, March 18 – 4pm start (truTV, TBS)
Mackey Arena, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
First round
Friday, March 19, 2021 – starts at noon (CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV)
Saturday, March 20 – noon start (CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV)
Mackey Arena, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Lucas Oil Stadium
Second round
Sunday, March 21 – starts at noon (CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV)
Monday, March 22 – noon start (CBS, TBS, TNT, truTV)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Lucas Oil Stadium
Sweet 16
Saturday, March 27 – 2pm start (CBS, TBS)
Sunday, March 28 – 1 pm (CBS, TBS)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse
Elite Eight
Monday, March 29 – 7 pm (CBS)
Tuesday, March 30 – 6 pm start (TBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium
Last four
Saturday, April 3 – 5:00 pm (CBS)
Lucas Oil Stadium
national Championship
Monday, April 5 – 9:00 pm (CBS)
Lucas OIl Stadium
Take each choice, each move, each turn and fill in your key with our help! Visit SportsLine now to see which teams will make and break your key and see who cuts the nets, all from the model that hit 15 of the 26 double-digit losses in the last four tournaments!