March Madness 2026 First Round: Complete Schedule, Times & How to Watch — Games Start Thursday March 19!

The wait is almost over! With the play-in games officially underway on Tuesday March 17, the first-round games are scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 19. (Times Herald Online) Here is everything you need to know about this week's March Madness action!

🏀 First Four Results — Already Done!

In the First Four, UMBC defeated Howard, and South Florida defeated NC State to advance to the Round of 64. (The Guardian)

📅 Thursday March 19 — First Round Schedule

Here are the key matchups for Thursday's first round action, all times ET:

(3) Ohio State vs (14) Howard — 11:30 AM

(3) Louisville vs (14) Vermont — 12:00 PM

(6) Notre Dame vs (11) Fairfield — 2:00 PM

(5) Kentucky vs (12) James Madison — 2:30 PM

(1) UConn vs (16) UTSA — 3:00 PM

(8) Clemson vs (9) USC — 3:30 PM

(2) Iowa vs (15) Fairleigh Dickinson — 4:00 PM

(2) Vanderbilt vs (15) High Point — 7:00 PM

(8) Oklahoma State vs (9) Princeton — 7:30 PM (The New York Times)

📺 How to Watch

Games will be broadcast on CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV. Streaming options include Fubo and Sling TV. The Final Four will be played on Monday, April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Times Herald Online)

Channel

Where to Stream

CBS

Fubo

TNT

Sling TV

TBS

Sling TV

truTV

Sling TV

🎯 Big Thursday Matchups to Watch

🔥 Upset Alert — Kentucky vs James Madison (2:30 PM)

The No. 12 seed James Madison Dukes have been one of the hottest teams in the country. The 5-vs-12 matchup is historically the most common upset spot in the tournament!

👀 UConn vs UTSA (3:00 PM)

Duke and star forward Cameron Boozer might have a tough time making it through the East region — UConn, Michigan State and Kansas are all in Duke's path. (The New York Times) But first, UConn opens against UTSA.

💥 Vanderbilt vs High Point (7:00 PM)

After stunning No. 1 Florida in the SEC Tournament, Vanderbilt is everyone's Cinderella pick. Can they keep the magic going?

🏆 No. 1 Seeds First Round Matchups

Here are the No. 1 seeds' first round games:

Michigan vs UMBC/Howard — 7:10 PM on CBS

Arkansas vs Hawai'i — 4:25 PM on TBS (Times Herald Online)

Michigan enters as the slight favorite to win the championship at +325 odds, followed by Duke at +333 and Arizona at +425. (The New York Times)

🤖 AI Bracket Predictions

Yahoo Sports ran the bracket through AI and asked it to simulate every game. The AI went light on upsets, picking Duke to advance past Siena in the first round, Ohio State over TCU, and UConn over Furman in the East Region. (The Guardian)

📍 Final Four Location

Indianapolis, Indiana — Lucas Oil Stadium

April 4 & 6, 2026 🏆

Who are you picking to win it all? Drop your Final Four below! 🏀👇