The 2026 NCAA Event begins with the First 4 on Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026, on the College of Dayton Area in Dayton, Ohio. The 4 opening-round video games will characteristic a doubleheader every night time, with protection beginning at roughly 6:30 PM ET on truTV. The winners of those matchups will advance to the principle 64-team bracket beginning Thursday, March 19.
2026 First 4 Matchups & TV Broadcast Data
The College of Dayton has hosted the First 4 since its inception in 2011, offering the important “play-in” gateway for the match’s 68-team area. Every night time options two video games: usually one matchup between the 2 lowest-seeded at-large groups and one between the 2 lowest-ranked automated qualifiers (Convention Champions).
First 4 Occasion Schedule:
Date: Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 2026Location: College of Dayton Area (Dayton, OH)First Recreation Tip-off: ~6:40 PM ETSecond Recreation Tip-off: ~9:10 PM ETTV Channel: truTVLive Stream: Max (B/R Sports activities Add-on) / NCAA March Insanity Stay
Skilled Be aware from the Sports activities Brackets Analyst: Don’t deal with these as ‘meaningless’ play-in video games. For the reason that First 4 expanded to its present format, not less than one winner has superior to the Spherical of 32 in 12 of the final 14 tournaments. Groups like VCU (2011) and UCLA (2021) even used a First 4 victory to spark a run all the way in which to the Ultimate 4. When updating your 2026 March Insanity Bracket, search for high-major ‘At-Giant’ groups in Dayton-they usually have the depth to drag a first-round upset on brief relaxation.
Why the First 4 Issues in 2026
The First 4 serves as the last word check for bubble groups and low-seeded auto-qualifiers. With Choice Sunday set for March 15 at 6:00 PM ET on CBS, the sector of 68 can be revealed, and the eight groups heading to Dayton would be the 4 lowest at-large seeds and the 4 lowest automated qualifiers (usually 16-seeds from smaller conferences). These video games usually characteristic high-stakes drama-teams preventing for his or her NCAA lives or automated bids-and the winners get the shortest turnaround to the principle bracket on March 19-20. Lately, the First 4 has produced memorable moments, together with buzzer-beaters and Cinderella advances that shake up your complete match.
Tips on how to Watch & Observe
All First 4 video games air completely on truTV, with streaming out there through Max (requires B/R Sports activities add-on) or the official NCAA March Insanity Stay app (free with TV supplier login). For bracket updates, printable sheets, and projections as soon as the sector is about, bookmark SportsBrackets.internet’s essential March Insanity hub. The total bracket releases post-Choice Sunday, so tune in March 15 for the official matchups.
Printable First 4 & NCAA Event Bracket & Assets
Obtain our free printable 2026 First 4 & NCAA Event bracket PDF right here: Use it to fill within the projected or official groups as soon as introduced on Choice Sunday-perfect for workplace swimming pools, household brackets, or monitoring the opening chaos. We’ll replace with reside outcomes and bracket progress as video games unfold. The First 4 kicks off the madness-stay locked in for March 17-18 motion in Dayton!
