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when are brackets due for march madness

For 2026, March Madness brackets are effectively “due” right around when the tournament tips off, but the exact cut‑off depends on where you’re filling them out.

Key timing for 2026

  • Selection Sunday (when the official bracket is first revealed):
    • Sunday, March 15, 2026, with the men’s 68‑team bracket announced at 6 p.m. ET on CBS.
  • Games begin with the First Four:
    • Tuesday–Wednesday, March 17–18, 2026.

Most major bracket games (ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, etc.) close entries just before the first game that counts for their contest starts. For many public pools, that means:

  • Either right before the First Four on March 17
  • Or right before the first full round of games on Thursday, March 19

Because each site or office pool sets its own deadline, the safe rule is:

Plan to have your March Madness bracket filled out and submitted by early Tuesday, March 17, 2026 , and always double‑check the specific deadline listed in your pool or contest rules.

Quick Scoop

  • Brackets get released on Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • First games (First Four) start March 17–18 , so many contests lock right before those tipoffs.
  • Some casual or office pools wait and lock before the traditional first round on March 19.
  • Always check your specific app/site or commissioner note for the exact “brackets due” time.

Think of it this way: once the first game your pool includes has started, your bracket is usually locked in stone.

Mini FAQ

When are brackets released for March Madness 2026?
On Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026, during the 6 p.m. ET TV show on CBS for the men’s field.

What’s the safest time to have my bracket done?
Have it completed and submitted by the afternoon of Tuesday, March 17, 2026 , unless your pool clearly says it closes later. Do women’s brackets follow the same pattern?
Yes, the women’s field is also revealed on Selection Sunday night, then major platforms host women’s bracket games with similar “lock before first game” rules.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.