The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and buzzer-beaters are increasing in frequency.
All the typical signs that March Madness is here have arrived in earnest, and it’s time to prepare your loved ones for the fact you’ll be unable to leave your couch for large stretches of time over the next few weeks.
But just when will you need to block off your calendars? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with all the dates you need to know on both the men’s and women’s side from Selection Sunday to the Final Four.
2022 Selection Sunday: March 13
Brackets for both the men and women will be unveiled on the same day this year. The annual CBS bracket reveal broadcast will kick things off.
CBS Selection Sunday Show
Sunday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. ET
Women’s Bracket Reveal
Sunday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
First Four
On the men’s side, the First Four returns to Dayton, Ohio and UD Arena on the University of Dayton campus.
The women’s side works differently, with First Four games played at four of the top-16 host sites.
Men’s First Four
March 15 & 16
Women’s First Four
March 16 & 17
First Round
Once again the women will remain at top-16 sites while the men are spread out across the country. Here are the dates and locations to keep an eye on.
The first round is split over two days.
Men’s First Round
Thursday, March 17: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis), Dickies Arena (Fort Worth), Moda Center (Portland), KeyBank Center (Buffalo)
Friday, March 18: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, South Carolina), Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee), PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh), Viejas Arena (San Diego)
Women’s First Round
March 18-19: Location TBD
Second Round
Both the men’s and women’s teams who advance to the second round won’t have to travel anywhere. Teams remain at their same location for second round games.
Men’s Second Round
Saturday, March 19: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis), Dickies Arena (Fort Worth), Moda Center (Portland), KeyBank Center (Buffalo)
Sunday, March 20: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, South Carolina), Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee), PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh), Viejas Arena (San Diego)
Women’s Second Round
March 20-21: Location TBD
Sweet 16
The stage gets bigger and the locations change. After the wildness of the first two rounds, the teams get a few days to regroup and recover before traveling to their next venues.
Men’s Sweet 16
Thursday, March 24: AT&T Center (San Antonio), Chase Center (San Francisco)
Friday, March 25: United Center (Chicago), Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
Women’s Sweet 16
Thursday, March 25-26: Webster Bank Arena (Bridgeport, Conn.), Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, N.C.), Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena (Spokane, Wash.), Intrust Bank Arena (Wichita, KS)
Elite Eight
Same venues as the Sweet 16, fewer teams remaining in contention.
Men’s Elite Eight
Saturday, March 26: AT&T Center (San Antonio), Chase Center (San Francisco)
Sunday, March 27:
United Center (Chicago), Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
Women’s Elite Eight
Sunday, March 27-28: Webster Bank Arena (Bridgeport, Conn.), Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, N.C.), Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena (Spokane, Wash.), Intrust Bank Arena (Wichita, KS)
Final Four
The road ends here. College basketball’s biggest weekend will see the men head to the Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, while the women travel to the opposite end of the Mississippi River to play at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Target Center.
Men’s Final Four
Saturday, April 2: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
Women’s Final Four
Friday, April 1: Target Center (Minneapolis)
National Championship
Only one game left for both sides. Trophies will be handed out, parades will be planned and classes will (very likely) be canceled across the campus of whichever school wins the title.
Men’s National Championship
Monday, April 4: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
Women’s National Championship
Sunday, April 3: Target Center (Minneapolis)
Men's Final Four Best Odds
Odds as of Thursday, March 3 via Tipico
- Gonzaga Bulldogs (-130)
- Kentucky Wildcats (+130)
- Arizona Wildcats (+162)
- Auburn Tigers (+200)
- Duke Blue Devils (+220)
- Purdue Boilermakers (+230)
- Kansas Jayhawks (+230)
- Baylor Bears (+260)
- Villanova Wildcats (+400)
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