GoKawiilTeams have been selected for both the men's and women's 2026 March Madness tournament, so it's time for the games to begin! With so many events airing across multiple channels and streaming services, we're here to help you figure out the best ways to watch all of March Madness, and luckily, there are a few that don't require you to shell out for every single streaming service.
Whether you want to watch with an antenna, through a live TV streaming service or on the NCAA site or app, you can tune into games daily without subscribing to a bunch of different, often costly, services. Here's what you need to know to tune in to March Madness this year without breaking the bank.
When does March Madness 2026 start?
March Madness 2026 officially begins on March 17 with the men's First Four games. The women's First Four will begin on March 18. The entire tournament will wrap up in early April.
How to watch March Madness 2026 for free
The NCAA's March Madness Live site and March Madness Live app are great options to watch games for free. You can watch match-ups on iOS and Android devices along with Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Xbox, but you will have to sign in with a valid TV provider login.
You can also connect an indoor antenna to your TV and watch games broadcast on ABC and CBS. Our expert comparison of the best antennas can help you find the one that's right for you, and our top pick comes in at $40. Want to watch March Madness with no strings attached? Try a free trial from a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, which comes with a free trial.
How to watch March Madness live without cable
Women's March Madness games will air across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPNews. The women's championship final will be broadcast on ABC and stream on ESPN Unlimited. Men's games will air on TruTV, CBS, TNT and TBS.
Zooey Liao/CNET HBO Max Watch men's games on HBO Max With HBO Max, you can stream 46 games in the men's March Madness tournament, including the Final Four and Championship Final. With the HBO Max multiview experience, you can stream up to three games simultaneously. Live sports are only available on HBO Max Standard ($18.50 a month) and Premium ($23 a month) plans. See at HBO Max
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