March Madness is the nickname for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, which happen every March.
It’s a single-elimination tournament where 68 men’s teams and 68 women’s teams compete for the national championship. The tournament is famous for exciting games, upsets, and buzzer-beaters. It starts with a big bracket, and teams keep playing until only one is left as the champion. People love filling out brackets, trying to predict the winners, and watching underdog teams make surprising runs. It’s one of the biggest events in college sports.
HOW TEAMS ARE PICKED:
A total of 68 teams make the tournament. They get in through two ways:
Automatic Bids (32 teams) – Every conference in Division I (like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, etc.) holds a conference tournament, and the winner of each gets an automatic spot in March Madness.
At-Large Bids (36 teams) – These teams are chosen by the NCAA Selection Committee based on their performance throughout the season. The committee looks at factors like:
Overall record
Strength of schedule
Quality of wins and losses
Advanced metrics (like NET rankings)
Once the teams are chosen, they are seeded and placed into the bracket based on their strength, with higher-seeded teams playing lower-seeded ones in the early rounds.
HOW THE MARCH MADNESS BRACKET WORKS
The tournament is a single-elimination format, meaning once a team loses, they are out. Here’s how it’s structured:
FIRST FOUR (PLAY-IN GAMES)
Before the main tournament starts, eight teams compete in four games to earn the last four spots in the First Round.
These games include the four lowest-seeded teams and the last four at-large teams.
FIRST ROUND (ROUND OF 64)
After the First Four, 64 teams are left.
Teams are divided into four regions (East, West, South, and Midwest), each with 16 teams seeded from #1 to #16.
The #1 seed plays the #16 seed, #2 plays #15, and so on.
SECOND ROUND (ROUND OF 32)
The 32 winners from the First Round face off.
SWEET 16
The 16 remaining teams play, narrowing the field further.
ELITE EIGHT
The last eight teams (two from each region) play for a spot in the Final Four.
FINAL FOUR
The four regional champions meet in one location.
Two semifinal games determine the two teams that will play for the national championship.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The two remaining teams play, and the winner is crowned the NCAA Champion.
SEEDING AND UPSETS
Higher-seeded teams are expected to perform better, but upsets (lower seeds beating higher seeds) happen often, making the tournament unpredictable and exciting.
Cinderella teams are lower-seeded teams that go on deep runs, often becoming fan favorites.
WHY IT’S SO POPULAR
The tournament is known for buzzer-beaters, huge upsets, and intense games.
Millions of fans fill out brackets, trying to predict the winners.
It’s one of the biggest events in sports every year.
THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENTS ARE PLAYED AT THE SAME TIME IN MARCH AND EARLY APRIL, BUT THEY ARE SEPARATE TOURNAMENTS WITH THEIR OWN BRACKETS, TEAMS, AND LOCATIONS.
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TOURNAMENTS:
Selection & Structure: Both have 68 teams, selected similarly with automatic and at-large bids.
Game Days: The men’s and women’s games are often on the same days but at different locations and times.
Final Four & Championship:
The Men’s Final Four is held on Saturday, with the championship on Monday.
The Women’s Final Four is held on Friday, with the championship on Sunday.
Both tournaments are extremely competitive, and women’s basketball has been growing in popularity with more fans watching each year.
While March Madness is primarily a U.S. event, people around the world do watch it, especially those who follow basketball closely. Here’s why:
WHO WATCHES MARCH MADNESS OUTSIDE THE U.S.?
International Basketball Fans – Many countries have basketball leagues and love the sport, so fans in places like Canada, Europe, the Philippines, and Australia follow top college players who may later play professionally.
NBA Scouts & Fans – Since many future NBA players compete in March Madness, scouts and international NBA fans pay attention.
Expats & Students – Americans living abroad and international students who studied in the U.S. often keep up with the tournament.
Betting & Brackets – Some international sports fans get involved in bracket pools or betting, making them more interested in the games.
WHERE IS IT BROADCAST CURRENTLY?
U.S.: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV
Canada: TSN
Other Countries: Some sports networks in Europe, Asia, and Australia air select games, and streaming services offer global access.
So while it’s mainly an American tradition, March Madness does have international interest, especially among basketball enthusiasts.
MARCH MADNESS ATTRACTS MILLIONS OF VIEWERS EVERY YEAR, MAKING IT ONE OF THE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENTS IN THE U.S. HERE’S A BREAKDOWN OF ITS VIEWERSHIP:
OVERALL VIEWERSHIP
The Men’s NCAA Tournament consistently draws around 10 to 16 million viewers per game on average, with higher numbers for big matchups.
The Final Four and Championship Game usually get 15 to 20+ million viewers.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament has been growing rapidly, with several million viewers per game, and the 2023 Women’s Championship Game hit a record 9.9 million viewers, the highest ever for the women’s tournament.
HIGHEST VIEWERSHIP
The most-watched Men’s Championship Game in recent years was 2015 (Duke vs. Wisconsin), which had 28.3 million viewers.
The 2023 Women’s Final (LSU vs. Iowa) hit nearly 10 million viewers, making history for women’s college basketball.
STREAMING AND GLOBAL AUDIENCE
In addition to TV, millions stream the games online, especially at work during the early rounds.
March Madness also gets global viewers, though most fans are in the U.S. and Canada.
March Madness is one of the biggest sporting events in the U.S., but how does it compare to other major sports events?
COMPARING MARCH MADNESS TO OTHER BIG EVENTS
Event Average Viewership (U.S.) Biggest Game Viewership Global Audience? Super Bowl (NFL) ~115 million 115.1M (2024) Yes, worldwide NCAA Men’s Championship ~15-20 million 28.3M (2015) Mostly U.S./Canada NCAA Women’s Championship ~4-10 million 9.9M (2023) Growing interest NBA Finals (per game) ~12-18 million 35.9M (1998, Game 6) Yes, worldwide World Series (MLB) (per game) ~9-14 million 44.3M (1978, Game 6) Limited outside U.S. College Football Championship ~20-25 million 26.7M (2015) Mostly U.S. FIFA World Cup Final ~15-20 million (U.S.) 1.5B globally (2022) Huge global event Olympics Opening Ceremony ~15-30 million (U.S.) 3.5B globally (2008) Massive worldwide
WHY MARCH MADNESS STANDS OUT
More Total Viewers Than Most Events – While individual games don’t match the Super Bowl, the entire tournament draws hundreds of millions of total viewers over multiple weeks.
Unique Bracket Hype – Unlike other sports, March Madness has the bracket challenge, where millions of fans try to predict every game.
Unpredictability & Cinderella Stories – March Madness is more unpredictable than most pro sports playoffs, making it exciting.
Biggest Event in College Sports – No other college sports event comes close in size and attention.
GLOBAL COMPARISON
The Super Bowl and NBA Finals get more global attention since they feature pro athletes.
The FIFA World Cup Final and Olympics are far bigger worldwide, with billions watching.
March Madness is mostly a U.S. phenomenon, but its popularity is growing.
More Interesting Facts About March Madness
One of the most exciting aspects of March Madness is the “Cinderella story.” Every year, lower-seeded teams defy the odds and go on unexpected runs, capturing the hearts of basketball fans across the country.
Some of the most famous Cinderella teams include Florida Gulf Coast (2013), Loyola Chicago (2018), and Saint Peter’s (2022), all of whom made deep runs despite being massive underdogs. These teams often feature players who weren’t highly recruited but rise to the occasion under the national spotlight. The unpredictability of the tournament is what makes it so thrilling—anyone can win on a given day.
Another unique aspect of the tournament is its impact on productivity in workplaces and schools. The first two days of the tournament, when 32 games are played, are some of the least productive workdays in the U.S. as millions of people stream games on their computers or phones while at work.
It’s estimated that billions of dollars in productivity are lost due to employees watching the tournament, filling out brackets, and discussing games with coworkers. Many businesses even embrace the madness, setting up viewing areas or hosting office bracket pools to boost morale.
The history of the tournament is also fascinating. The first NCAA tournament was held in 1939, featuring just eight teams. It wasn’t even considered the premier college basketball championship at the time—the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) was more prestigious. However, as the NCAA tournament expanded in size and gained television exposure, it became the dominant event in college basketball. The tournament field grew to 64 teams in 1985, and the First Four round was added in 2011, bringing the total to 68 teams.
One often-overlooked part of March Madness is the financial side of the tournament. The NCAA generates billions of dollars from the event, primarily through television rights and sponsorships. A major chunk of this revenue goes back to universities and athletic programs, making it one of the most profitable sporting events in the world. However, players don’t directly receive a share of this money—though with the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, student-athletes can now earn money through endorsements and sponsorships.
Finally, March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s a cultural phenomenon. From legendary moments like Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beater in 1992 to the emotional postgame interviews and upsets that leave fans in shock, the tournament is full of drama, passion, and unforgettable memories. It’s a time of year when casual fans and die-hard basketball lovers alike come together to enjoy the excitement of college basketball at its finest.
The NIT (National Invitation Tournament) is a separate college basketball tournament that takes place around the same time as March Madness, but it is considered less prestigious.
HOW THE NIT COMPARES TO MARCH MADNESS
Selection & Prestige – The NIT primarily features teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament (March Madness). While the NCAA Tournament includes the best teams in the country, the NIT is seen as a secondary tournament for teams that had solid seasons but didn’t quite qualify for the big dance.
Number of Teams – The NIT features 32 teams, compared to 68 teams in March Madness.
Single-Elimination Format – Like March Madness, the NIT is single elimination, meaning one loss and you’re out.
Finals Location – While March Madness culminates in a Final Four at a rotating major venue, the NIT’s semifinals and championship were traditionally held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, in 2023, the NIT moved its Final Four to different locations instead of MSG.
TIMING OF THE NIT VS. MARCH MADNESS
The NIT starts after Selection Sunday, just like the NCAA Tournament.
The first-round games of the NIT are played in mid-March, overlapping with the First Four and early rounds of March Madness.
The NIT Championship Game is usually held in late March or early April, around the same time as the NCAA Final Four.
IS THE NIT WORTH WATCHING?
The NIT still has good basketball, featuring teams that just missed the cut for March Madness.
Historically, some NIT winners have gone on to have strong seasons the following year or make deep NCAA Tournament runs later.
Before March Madness became the dominant tournament, the NIT was actually considered the top college basketball tournament in the 1940s and early 1950s.
If you’ve never watched March Madness and don’t fully understand the hype, it can be hard to appreciate why it’s such a big deal. However, the excitement surrounding the tournament is infectious and hard to ignore once you experience it. March Madness offers a unique combination of high-stakes basketball, dramatic upsets, and pure unpredictability that you won’t find in other sports events.
Every game feels like it could be a cinderella story, where underdogs, often with little national recognition, rise to the occasion and take down heavily favored teams. The tournament is single-elimination, meaning every game is essentially a “do or die” match, adding tension and intensity to each moment. With everything on the line, the stakes feel higher than any other regular-season or playoff game in basketball.
One of the most thrilling aspects of March Madness is the bracket challenge—the excitement of predicting who will win each game and who will make it to the Final Four and beyond. Even if you aren’t a hardcore basketball fan, the brackets make it fun and accessible to everyone, from first-time viewers to seasoned sports enthusiasts. Office pools, family competitions, and social media chatter elevate the stakes for everyone, turning March Madness into a nationwide event where everyone has a stake in the outcome. If you like the idea of sports that blend excitement, suspense, and unpredictability, March Madness delivers that in spades.
Beyond the basketball itself, there’s something inherently cultural and communal about March Madness. It brings people together—whether you’re watching at home, at a bar with friends, or participating in a bracket pool with coworkers.
The tournament taps into collective energy as everyone rallies behind their picks, their alma mater, or the unexpected team making a run. The energy around the tournament is contagious, and even if you’re not familiar with all the players, you’ll quickly find yourself swept up in the drama of buzzer-beaters, shocking upsets, and passionate fanbases.
March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s about stories. The tournament brings incredible moments that can turn an unknown freshman player into a household name, or give a team from a small school the chance to show they belong on the national stage.
Whether you’re drawn in by the drama, the competition, or just the chance to be part of something larger, March Madness offers something for everyone. It’s an experience that transcends sports and taps into the excitement of watching the underdog overcome the odds. If you’ve never tuned in, give it a shot—it might just become one of your favorite sporting traditions.
March Madness, at its core, is a celebration of hope, passion, and resilience. It reminds us that anything is possible in sports, and sometimes the most surprising outcomes are the most rewarding. If you’re looking for something to make the spring months more exciting, watching March Madness could be just the thing. It’s more than a tournament—it’s an experience that draws you in, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and connects you with basketball fans all around the country.
TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MARCH MADNESS, THE NIT, AND ALL THE RELATED TOPICS WE DISCUSSED, HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT SOURCES:
March Madness & NCAA Tournaments
- NCAA Official Website – www.ncaa.com
- This is the official source for everything related to March Madness, including tournament schedules, news, and team information.
- ESPN – www.espn.com
- ESPN provides live updates, team rankings, bracket breakdowns, and in-depth analysis for both the Men’s and Women’s Tournaments.
- CBS Sports – www.cbssports.com
- CBS Sports offers live coverage, highlights, and expert analysis of March Madness, along with bracket challenges and more.
- NCAA March Madness YouTube Channel – YouTube: NCAA March Madness
- This channel features highlights, memorable moments, and interviews from past tournaments, giving a great sense of the atmosphere and excitement.
National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
- NIT Official Page – www.nit.org
- The official NIT website includes information about teams, the bracket, and history of the tournament.
- ESPN’s NIT Coverage – www.espn.com
- ESPN also covers the NIT extensively, offering bracket updates, analysis, and team stories.
General Basketball & NCAA Information
- Sports Illustrated – www.si.com
- Sports Illustrated has a variety of articles covering both college basketball and March Madness, with insightful commentary and historical perspectives.
- Bleacher Report – www.bleacherreport.com
- For up-to-the-minute news, highlights, and team performance reviews, Bleacher Report is a go-to for all things basketball.
Bracket Challenges & Fun Stats
- CBS Sports Bracket Challenge – CBS Bracket Challenge
- If you want to get involved with filling out a bracket, this site offers both interactive tools and a chance to compete against others.
- NCAA Bracketology – Bracketology at ESPN
- This provides a forecast of the NCAA Tournament field, letting you get a preview of teams likely to make the tournament.
General College Basketball Knowledge
- NCAA Basketball History – College Basketball Reference
- This site provides in-depth statistical information and historical data about college basketball tournaments, including team performances, past champions, and more.
- Basketball Reference – www.basketball-reference.com
- If you’re looking for detailed player stats, historical tournament performance, or general basketball knowledge, this is a comprehensive resource.
By exploring these sites, you’ll have access to the latest news, in-depth analyses, historical perspectives, and more, to fully understand and enjoy everything about March Madness, the NIT, and the exciting world of college basketball.