When Is March Madness? Countdown
There are 199 days until March Madness on Thursday, March 18, 2027. The 2027 NCAA Division I men’s tournament is expected to open Thursday, 18 March 2027, after Selection Sunday on 14 March. This timer aims at that Thursday tip window.
2027 date
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Thursday, March 18 |
Add March Madness to your calendar
When is March Madness 2027
Selection Sunday names the 68-team field. The First Four is midweek; the Round of 64 is Thursday–Friday.
The 2026 tournament is over. 2027 sites and TV windows follow the NCAA’s later release.
| 2027 marker | Date | This timer? |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Sunday | Sun Mar 14 | No |
| Round of 64 | Thu Mar 18 | Yes |
March Madness countdown
Women’s March Madness runs the same weeks on a separate bracket. This page is the men’s Thursday that searchers usually mean. “when does march madness start” is this same March Madness morning.
Why this countdown exists
March Madness is a when-is sports search. This clock uses the men’s Round of 64 Thursday, not Selection Sunday.
Questions people ask
When does March Madness 2027 start?
Selection Sunday is March 14; the Round of 64 is Thursday, March 18, 2027.
Is March Madness a holiday?
No. It is the NCAA basketball tournament.
Men’s or women’s on this March Madness page?
The men’s Thursday opener, the usual US search.