The play‑in games for March Madness 2026 – officially the First Four – are on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026 , in Dayton, Ohio.

When Are the Play‑In Games for March Madness?

Quick Scoop

If you’re wondering “when are the play in games for March Madness?” you’re asking about the First Four, the set of opening play‑in games that trim the field from 68 to 64 teams.

  • Dates (2026):
    • Tuesday, March 17, 2026
    • Wednesday, March 18, 2026
  • Location: UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio – the long‑time traditional host of the First Four.
  • These games feature the eight lowest‑seeded teams (some automatic qualifiers, some at‑large) battling for the final spots in the main 64‑team bracket.

Think of the First Four as the “pre‑party” to the main March Madness chaos – the winners jump straight into the First Round starting March 19.

Key Dates Around the Play‑In Games

To put the play‑ins in context, here’s how the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament schedule lines up:

  • Selection Sunday:
    • Sunday, March 15, 2026 – full 68‑team bracket revealed on CBS.
  • First Four (Play‑In Games):
    • March 17–18, 2026 – Dayton, OH.
  • First Round:
    • March 19–20, 2026 – games across multiple host sites.
  • Second Round:
    • March 21–22, 2026.
  • Sweet 16:
    • March 26–27, 2026.
  • Elite Eight:
    • March 28–29, 2026.
  • Final Four:
    • Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.
  • National Championship:
    • Monday, April 6, 2026 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

Simple HTML Table of 2026 Play‑In & Early Rounds

Here’s an HTML table you can drop into a page or forum post:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Date(s)</th>
      <th>Round</th>
      <th>Description</th>
      <th>Location</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>March 15, 2026</td>
      <td>Selection Sunday</td>
      <td>68-team field and full March Madness bracket revealed</td>
      <td>Studio show on CBS</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>March 17–18, 2026</td>
      <td>First Four (Play‑In Games)</td>
      <td>Eight lowest-seeded teams play for four spots in the 64-team bracket</td>
      <td>UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>March 19–20, 2026</td>
      <td>First Round</td>
      <td>Main bracket begins with 64 teams</td>
      <td>Various host sites</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>March 21–22, 2026</td>
      <td>Second Round</td>
      <td>Winners advance to the Sweet 16</td>
      <td>Various host sites</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Forum‑Style Mini Take

A lot of fans still call them “play‑in games,” but the NCAA brands them as the “First Four.” They’re on March 17–18, 2026 in Dayton, like usual, and can absolutely bust or save your bracket before the real avalanche of games hits on the 19th.

If you tell me whether you care about men’s, women’s, or both tournaments, I can narrow the dates and details specifically for that side too.

Meta description (SEO):
Wondering when are the play in games for March Madness? The 2026 NCAA men’s tournament play‑in “First Four” games are March 17–18, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio, just after Selection Sunday. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.