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How to Watch the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Bracket, Schedule, Channels and Streaming Guide

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 16:03 GMT by Sporting News

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How to Watch the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Bracket, Schedule, Channels and Streaming Guide

Every March, college basketball fans around the country gear up for the most anticipated sporting event of the year: the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, commonly called “March Madness.” The 2025 edition is no different, and Sporting News has just released a comprehensive rundown of the bracket, dates, and viewing options so you won’t miss a single buzzer‑beater. Below is a detailed, no‑frills summary of the key information—including the full schedule, which channels will air each game, and how to stream the action whether you have cable or not.

1. The Bracket: 68 Teams, 6 Rounds

The tournament still follows the traditional format:

1. First Four (Play-in Games) – 8 teams play 4 games to earn a spot in the main field.
2. Round of 64 – 32 games that determine the first 32 teams.
3. Round of 32 – The 32 remaining teams compete in 16 games.
4. Sweet Sixteen – 16 teams play 8 games.
5. Elite Eight – 8 teams play 4 games.
6. Final Four & National Championship – 4 teams play two semifinal games and the winner goes on to the title game.

The 68 teams come from the 32 Division I conferences, plus four at‑large teams and the automatic qualifiers that earn the coveted “first‑four” spots. The final bracket will be posted on the NCAA’s official website and on the Sporting News bracket builder, where you can track upsets and seed match‑ups in real time.

2. Game Schedule & Dates

Each round is hosted at one of the six regionals, with the Final Four and National Championship held in a neutral city that changes every year. For 2025, the Final Four will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the newly renovated “Albuquerque Arena.”

3. Broadcast Partners

ESPN Family

• ESPN – Main national broadcast for most high‑profile games, including the championship.
• ESPN2 – Secondary channel that airs early‑round games and the “First Four.”
• ESPNU – Usually picks up the last‑minute games and some early round matchups.
• ESPN+ – Streams all games live, with commentary in multiple languages. Requires a separate subscription.

CBS Sports

• CBS Sports Network – Carries several regional games, especially those that are not on ESPN.
• CBS – Broadcasts the Final Four and the National Championship.
• CBS All Access – Now rebranded as “CBS Sports App,” streams the same content as CBS, plus select games.

Regional & Local Networks

• ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, Pac‑12 Network – Air games involving teams from their respective conferences, depending on the draw.
• Local Sports Bar & Cable providers – May have rights to certain games in their markets; check the local listings for your area.

4. Streaming Options

Tip: If you only want to catch the big games (Final Four and Championship), you can subscribe to a one‑week package on YouTube TV or Hulu Live TV, saving money if you don’t need the full marathon.

5. How to Watch Without Cable

If you’re a cord‑cutter, you can still follow every step of the tournament:

1. ESPN+ – Best for a full, ad‑free experience. It covers every game, but you’ll need to sign up for the entire tournament period.
2. CBS Sports App – Free to use if you just want the Final Four and Championship. However, some games require the “All‑Access” upgrade.
3. Roku Channel, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV – All support the CBS Sports App and ESPN+.
4. Sling TV – Affordable if you want to add ESPN to your lineup.
5. Google Play, Apple App Store – Offers ESPN+ as a subscription service with in‑app purchases.

If you have no streaming service, you can still tune into the championship game on CBS – the broadcast will air in the standard broadcast television windows (Sunday 8 p.m. Eastern).

6. Live Updates and Scoreboards

For real‑time scores and bracket updates, check:

• NCAA.com – Official website with bracket builder and scoreboards.
• ESPN.com – Live commentary and analytics.
• Sporting News – Updated articles, post‑game analysis, and exclusive interviews.

You can also follow the tournament on Twitter with the hashtag #MarchMadness or use the official NCAA Twitter feed.

7. Tickets and Attendance

If you want to experience the tournament in person:

• Final Four Tickets – Available on the NCAA Ticketing portal; seats start at around $200 for general admission.
• Regional Games – Ticket availability varies; early buyers often find better seats.
• Travel & Accommodation – Albuquerque offers a range of hotels, many with special packages for Final Four fans.

Remember, the NCAA often releases “Hospitality Packages” that include game tickets, meals, and a designated viewing area for a premium price.

8. Final Thoughts

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will be as electric as ever, with 68 teams battling it out across six regionals for a chance to play in Albuquerque. The Sporting News breakdown gives you everything you need—dates, channels, streaming options, and ticketing info—so you can enjoy the madness without missing a moment.

Whether you’re a die‑hard college fan or a casual viewer hoping for a few surprises, the tournament offers plenty of drama, upsets, and last‑second heroics. By following the schedule and picking the right streaming service, you’ll have the entire tournament in your hands, no matter where you are. So mark your calendars, set your DVRs, and get ready for the 2025 March Madness – the basketball season’s biggest celebration is just around the corner.