March Madness 2025 Dates: Full Schedule, Results & Champion
There’s something about March that makes basketball fans clear their calendars. The 2025 NCAA Division I men’s tournament delivered everything fans hope for: buzzer-beaters, Cinderella runs, and a championship final decided by just two points — Florida’s 65-63 win over Houston. Whether you’re tracking last season’s results or planning ahead for the next bracket, this guide locks down every key date, score, and moment you need.
Tournament duration: 3 weeks (First Four to National Championship) ·
2025 National Champion: Florida Gators ·
2025 Final Four location: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas ·
2025 Final Four teams: Florida, Houston, Duke, Auburn ·
2025 Championship game score: Florida 65, Houston 63
Quick snapshot
- First Four games: March 18-19 in Dayton, Ohio (NCAA (official tournament authority))
- First Round: March 20-21 (Ticketmaster (official ticketing partner))
- Second Round: March 22-23 (Ticketmaster)
- Sweet 16: March 27-28 (Ticketmaster)
- Specific ticket availability for 2026 tournament remains speculative
- Exact future odds for 2027 are not yet published
- March 18-19: First Four (NCAA)
- March 20-21: First Round (Ticketmaster)
- March 22-23: Second Round (Ticketmaster)
- March 27-28: Sweet 16 (Ticketmaster)
- March 29-30: Elite Eight (Ticketmaster)
- April 5: Final Four semis (CBS Sports)
- April 7: Championship (Florida 65-63) (CBS Sports)
- 2026 tournament begins March 17, 2026 (CBS Sports)
- 2027 Final Four set for Detroit, Michigan (CBS Sports)
The 2025 tournament packed 68 teams into a three-week sprint. Here are the essential stats in one glance.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tournament | 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament |
| Champion | Florida Gators |
| Runner-up | Houston Cougars |
| Final score | 65-63 |
| Final Four location | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas |
| Number of teams | 68 |
What are the dates of NCAA March Madness?
First Four dates
The tournament tipped off with the First Four on March 18 and 19, 2025, at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, per NCAA (official tournament authority). These four games trimmed the field from 68 to 64.
- First Four games: March 18-19
- Location: Dayton, Ohio
First Round dates
The First Round followed on March 20 and 21, with 32 games played across eight regional sites, according to Ticketmaster (official ticketing partner).
Second Round dates
The Second Round took place on March 22 and 23, narrowing the field to 16 teams. The same eight sites hosted these games, as noted by Ticketmaster.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight dates
Sweet 16 games were played March 27-28, and the Elite Eight followed on March 29-30, per Ticketmaster. These rounds halved the field from 16 to 8, then from 8 to 4.
Final Four and Championship dates
The Final Four semifinals were held April 5, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, as reported by CBS Sports (established sports media). The national championship game followed on April 7, 2025, at the same venue.
How long does March Madness last?
Tournament duration overview
The 2025 NCAA men’s tournament spanned 20 days from the first First Four game (March 18) through the national championship (April 7). That’s three full weeks of basketball, with action every day except a brief break between the Elite Eight and Final Four.
Key milestones from First Four to Championship
- First Four – 2 days
- First Round – 2 days
- Second Round – 2 days
- Sweet 16 & Elite Eight – 4 days
- Final Four & Championship – 3 days (Sat & Mon)
The pattern: fans get a month-long buildup that delivers a crescendo in San Antonio.
For casual viewers, the tight schedule means bracket-busting upsets happen fast — the window to pivot predictions is often just a few hours between tip-offs.
Who won the entire March Madness in 2025?
2025 National Champion: Florida Gators
The Florida Gators won the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball title, defeating the Houston Cougars 65-63 in the championship game at the Alamodome. It was Florida’s third national championship and first since back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, according to NCAA (official tournament authority). Walter Clayton Jr. was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Championship game recap: Florida vs Houston
Florida edged Houston 65-63 in a defensive battle. The Gators built an early lead and held off a late Cougars rally. Both semifinal matchups set the stage: Florida beat Auburn, and Houston defeated Duke, per CBS Sports.
For Florida, the title run proved that experience and disciplined defense can overcome any bracket prediction — the Gators were a top seed but hardly a unanimous pick.
Which teams are favored to win March Madness 2025?
Preseason and tournament favorites
Coming into the tournament, the top four overall seeds — Florida, Duke, Houston, and Auburn — were widely considered the favorites. All four reached the Final Four, making 2025 only the second men’s tournament (alongside 2008) with all No. 1 seeds in the semifinals, per NCAA (official tournament authority).
Final Four teams: Florida, Houston, Duke, Auburn
- Florida (South region champion)
- Houston (Midwest region champion)
- Duke (East region champion)
- Auburn (West region champion)
The implication: bracket research that favored one seed line over another proved accurate this year — a rare alignment of chalk and talent.
Where is the March Madness final?
2025 Final Four location: Alamodome, San Antonio
The 2025 Final Four and national championship were held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This marked the first time San Antonio hosted the men’s Final Four since 2018, according to CBS Sports.
Future Final Four sites
- 2026: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- 2027: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- 2028: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
These locations rotate annually, with host cities selected years in advance by the NCAA.
“Florida beats Houston to win NCAA men’s basketball title,” reported NPR, noting the Gators’ first championship in 18 years.
“Men’s March Madness 2025 schedule, sites, locations,” wrote ESPN, providing the full game-by-game breakdown.
Confirmed facts
- 2025 tournament dates (March 18 – April 7)
- Florida won the championship 65-63
- Final Four was at Alamodome in San Antonio
- All four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four
- Walter Clayton Jr. named Most Outstanding Player
What’s unclear
- Exact future odds for 2027 are speculative
- Specific ticket availability for 2026 has not been confirmed
For bracket planners and ticket hunters, the 2025 March Madness season is now settled history — but the takeaways for future tournaments are already forming. The Gators’ disciplined run and the rarity of a four-No.-1-seed Final Four will shape how analysts evaluate next year’s field. For fans, the choice is clear: mark your calendars for March 17, 2026, and start scouting the next bracket.
For a closer look at the biggest upsets and pivotal moments that shaped the tournament, see our 2025 March Madness bracket recap for a complete breakdown of the bracket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the March Madness 2025 bracket?
The official 2025 NCAA bracket is available at NCAA.com, showing all 68 teams, game results, and the full tournament path. Florida’s champion path included wins over Auburn in the semifinals and Houston in the championship.
Where can I buy March Madness 2025 tickets?
Official tickets for the 2025 tournament were sold through Ticketmaster (official ticketing partner). For future tournaments, the NCAA typically releases ticket packages early in the year of the event.
What are the March Madness 2025 locations?
The 2025 tournament used multiple sites: First Four in Dayton, Ohio; First and Second Rounds at eight regional campuses; and the Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Specific regional sites are listed on the NCAA bracket.
Who was the MVP of the 2025 tournament?
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 men’s tournament, as confirmed by NCAA (official tournament authority).
How many teams participate in March Madness?
The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament includes 68 teams. Four teams are eliminated in the First Four, leaving 64 for the main bracket.
What is the March Madness 2026 schedule?
The 2026 tournament is scheduled to begin with the First Four on March 17, 2026. The Final Four will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The full bracket and detailed dates are typically released by the NCAA in early 2026.
What are the March Madness 2027 dates?
The 2027 Final Four is scheduled for April 3 and 5, 2027, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The exact First Four, First and Second Round dates for 2027 have not yet been released.
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