March Madness 2026: First Four Kicks Off Tournament Action in Dayton

Dayton, Ohio, will host the First Four matchups of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, marking the official start of March Madness. The University of Dayton Arena will be the site of these opening-round games on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18.

First Four Schedule & Matchups

The First Four schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, March 17:
• 6:40 p.m. ET: (16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard
• 9:15 p.m. ET: (11) Texas vs. (11) NC State
• Wednesday, March 18:
• 6:40 p.m. ET: (16) Lehigh vs. (16) Prairie View
• 9:15 p.m. ET: (11) Miami (OH) vs. (11) SMU

Ticket & Travel Information

Tickets for the First Four games are currently available for purchase. Fans attending are encouraged to book their stay through Marriott Bonvoy, the official hotel partner of the NCAA. More information regarding venue policies, directions, and parking at the University of Dayton Arena can be found on the NCAA website.

Broadcast Schedule & Fan Experience

The 2026 broadcast schedule will be released at a later date. Fans can download the official NCAA March Madness Live app for Apple and Google Play Store devices. Premium ticket and hospitality packages, as well as options to buy and sell tickets through the official NCAA Ticket Exchange, are also available.

Open Practice Schedule

Team practices for the First Four are free and open to the public. Here’s the schedule:

• Monday, March 16:
• 5:05 – 5:45 p.m. ET: UMBC
• 5:50 – 6:30 p.m. ET: Howard
• 6:35 – 7:15 p.m. ET: Texas

The NCAA encourages fans to sign up for email alerts to receive future ticket opportunities and event information.

March Madness is one of the milestones of the sports calendar in the United States and a media explosion without comparison in the world of basketball.