March Madness: The teams, dates and favorites for the 2025 NCAA tournament

Fans across the US are gearing up for the annual event. Here are all the details

Thursday 20 March 2025 17:59 GMT

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March Madness is upon us, with Auburn claiming the coveted top seed in the men's NCAA basketball tournament.

Fans across the United States are gearing up, hoping their predictions lead to office glory or at least bragging rights.

While Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston hold the top seed positions, the tournament's unpredictable nature promises upsets and excitement as the First Four tips off Tuesday, followed by the first round on Thursday.

Several key matchups are already generating buzz.

Big Ten champion Michigan, a fifth seed, faces a tough challenge against 12th seed UC San Diego, entering as a slight favorite.

Louisville, the eighth seed, rides a late-season hot streak into a clash with Big East powerhouse Creighton.

Meanwhile, UConn, also an eighth seed, begins the quest for a remarkable third consecutive national championship as a modest favorite against ninth-seeded Oklahoma.

A man places a bet in Atlantic City ahead of 2021’s March Madness (AP)

How can I watch?

Every game of the men’s tournament will be aired, either on CBS, TBS, TNT or TruTV and their digital platforms, including Paramount+. CBS will handle the Final Four and national title game this year.

The NCAA will also stream games via its March Madness Live option.

Who are the favorites?

The top betting favorites as the tournament arrives are (in order) Florida, Duke, Auburn and Houston, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Who is playing?

There are 31 automatic bids that were filled via league tournaments and they were combined with 37 at-large picks by the NCAA selection committee. All the surprises were unveiled Sunday in the bracket matchups.

When are the games?

The First Four is in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday and Wednesday and first- and second-round games are Thursday and Friday, stretching from Providence, Rhode Island, to Seattle.

The Sweet 16 weekend will see games March 27-30 in Newark, New Jersey (East Regional), Atlanta (South), Indianapolis (Midwest) and San Francisco (West).

The Final Four is in San Antonio on Saturday, April 5, with the championship game the night of Monday, April 7.

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