Watch March Madness 2026 live streams as 68 schools battle it out over the course of 67 games in 21 days to determine this year's NCAA national champion. Below we have all the info on how to watch college basketball from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and free streaming online.
Having started all the way back in November, the long college basketball season is set to come to its fast and furious climax. The beginning of the end kicks off with Selection Sunday (March 15) where the all-important brackets are decided, followed by the First Four round (March 17 & 18) in which a quartet of colleges play for the right to join the Big Dance.
Watch March Madness 2026 Quick Guide
Key dates
- First Four: March 17-18
- Championship game: Mon, Apr. 6
Free streams
- DAZN (UK & various)
- Use Norton VPN to watch from anywhere
Can I watch March Madness in 2026 for free?
DAZN has struck a deal with the NCAA to broadcast every single game of March Madness 2026 for FREE in a wide range of countries.
The territories covered include the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, UAE, and more. You can see the full list here.
Away from your home country but still want to watch those free DAZN streams? You'll need to use a VPN, with details on how below.
Use a VPN to watch any March Madness 2026 stream
How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in the US
National coverage of March Madness 2026 is shared between CBS (also streaming on Paramount+) and TBS, TNT, and truTV (also streaming on HBO Max). You can see the split in our 'Schedule' section at the bottom of this page.
If you're a cord cutter, Sling TV's Orange plan carries TNT and TBS and prices start from as low as $4.99 for one-day access, $9.99 for three days, $14.99 a week or $45.99 a month.
Alternatively, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both carry all four channels and feature free trials for new users.
Paramount Plus subscribers will need the Premium plan to watch CBS live. Prices start at $13.99/month, but you can also get an active 30-day subscription for just $1 if you sign up to Walmart+.
HBO Max prices start at $16.99 for the standard plan which is required for live sport.
Cable subscribers can also watch online via the March Madness Live app, available on a multitude of platforms.
How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, coverage of March Madness 2026 from the US is shown by TSN.
That means you can also watch online thanks to its TSN+ ($8 a month / $80 a year) streaming platform.
If you already subscribe to this services but find yourself outside Canada, download a VPN and watch NCAA championship games as if you were back at home.
How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in the UK for FREE
As explained above, specialist sports streamer DAZN has the rights to show March Madness 2026 in the UK.
What's more, it will do so for FREE. You just need to create a free account in order to stream every single game for free.
Alternatively, Disney+ will broadcast every game from the tournament with prices starting at just £5.99/month.
Outside the UK? You’ll need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to watch your free college basketball streams from abroad.
How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in Australia
Aussies can watch NCAA March Madness 2026 on Disney+, which now streams the tournament live in Australia as part of its ESPN coverage.
Games are also available on ESPN via Foxtel, which can be live streamed through Foxtel Now.
That means you can also stream games through Kayo Sports – from about $30 AUD a month after a 7-day free trial or introductory offer.
Not in Australia? Use Norton VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your usual college basketball coverage from anywhere.
March Madness 2026 Schedule and TV Channels
Selection Sunday
March 15 – CBS/Paramount+ (Free on DAZN in UK)
First Four
March 17-18 – truTV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
First Round
March 19-20 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/truTV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
Second Round
March 21-22 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/truTV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
Sweet Sixteen
March 26-27 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/truTV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
Elite 8
March 28-29 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/truTV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
Final Four
April 4 – TBS/truTV/TNT/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
National Championship Game
April 6 – TBS/truTV/TNT/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)
When does March Madness 2026 start?
Following Selection Sunday on March 15, the March Madness 2026 action gets underway on Tuesday, March 17 with the First Four round. The championship game set to take place on Monday, April 6.
Can I watch March Madness 2026 on my mobile?
The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser – for example, March Madness Live, Paramount+ and HBO Max in the US and DAZN in the UK.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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