As the calendar flips ever closer to March, the anticipation for the 2024 March Madness tournament builds with an intensity that can only be matched by the passion of college basketball fans nationwide
Working their way through a grueling season, the UConn Huskies have emerged yet again as formidable contenders, boasting a 22-2 record and No. 1 running that has them poised for another deep run. Despite their strong position, history has taught us that being a top seed is no guarantee of success; the Huskies can attest to that, having clinched last year’s championship as a 4-seed. In fact, no top 3 seeds even made the Final Four a year ago, a historic first.
With the likes of Purdue, Marquette, and North Carolina rife with talent and ambition, the battle for collegiate basketball supremacy remains wide open. As these teams and others fight for position and momentum in the weeks leading up to the dance, the only certainty is the thrilling unpredictability of March Madness.
Selection Sunday Schedule
The pathway to the tournament’s tip-off begins on Selection Sunday, set for March 17, 2024. This critical day in college basketball will not only reveal the tournament bracket but also set the stage for the whirlwind of predictions and analysis that ensues.
As teams learn their fate and their place in the bracket, the college basketball world holds its breath, with fans and experts alike poring over potential matchups and paths to the national title.
Tournament Commencement Date
The journey to victory begins on March 19, 2024, as the tournament officially kicks off with the highly anticipated First Four games. Taking place on March 19 and 20 in Dayton, Ohio, these initial matchups are not to be underestimated, for they often set a precedent for the surprises and upsets to come.
Fans eagerly poring over the FanDuel March Madness odds will be keen to see how these first results might influence the betting lines and brackets, setting the tone for the feverish days of competition that follow.
Final Four Schedule
The crescendo of the 2024 March Madness tournament, the Final Four, is slated to unfold on April 6 and 8. The eyes of college basketball enthusiasts will turn to Arizona as State Farm Stadium in Glendale, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, plays host to the penultimate stage of the competition. Arizona State University will coordinate the hosting duties, welcoming fans to witness the spectacle as the last four teams vie to cement their legacy in college basketball history.
Locations for Tournament Showdowns
The energy of March Madness crescendos starting March 21 as the nation witnesses the contenders from the Round of 64 battle it out to earn their spot in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. The following stadiums and arenas are poised to host the raw excitement of the first and second rounds from March 21 to 24:
- Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
- Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
- CHI Health Center – Omaha, NE
- PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
- Vivint Smart Home Arena – Salt Lake City, UT
- Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena – Spokane, WA
- FedExForum – Memphis, TN
The following week, the advancing teams will square off in the Sweet 16 on March 28-29, with the winners advancing to the Elite Eight on March 30-31. Here are the venues for the Regional semifinals and finals.
- West Regional: com Arena – Los Angeles, CA (March 28 & 30)
- East Regional: TD Garden – Boston, MA (March 28 & 30)
- Midwest Regional: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI (March 29 & 31)
- South Regional: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX (March 29 & 31)
These venues will be the battlegrounds where heroes are made, and dreams are either realized or shattered as each team’s journey toward the championship is tested. The winners of each region will head to Glendale, Ariz. for the Final Four starting April 6.