When is the selection on Sunday? Time, date and all details on the announcement of the NCAA tournament

The selection on Sunday is the widely expected day when the NCAA announces the full bracket for the annual men and women basketball tournaments and starts March Madness. But when is the selection show?

2025 Selection on Sunday Information: Time, date and television channel

The selection on Sunday is planned for Sunday, March 16. Here you will find a thorough overview of the schedule, the display options and expectations.

When is the selection on Sunday?

Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Men's selection show: 6 p.m. ET on CBS
Women's selection show: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

The selection on Sunday marks the official start of the NCAA tournament, with the NCAA selection committee completing the 68-team field for both the men's and women's championship.

Teams that have achieved automatic offers by winning their conference tournaments are placed, followed by the remaining, selected teams that were selected on the basis of their season performance.

How does the selection work on Sunday?

The NCAA selection committee evaluates teams based on their strength of the schedule, the quality engine and the overall balance. Here is an explanation of how this process works.

• Automatic commandments: 32 teams receive automatic offers by winning their respective conference tournaments.
• AT-LARGE bids: 36 teams are selected throughout the season due to their work.
• Sowing & regions: The teams are classified from 1 to 68 and housed in four regions: East, West, South and Midwest. These regions are trying to sort teams according to the geographical region. However, this can sometimes change, based on the removal of potential conference matchups that may already have occurred.
• Announcement of the bracket: The bracket, including the first four matchups and the complete pairings in the first round, will be announced during the selection shows.

Key dates

Men's tournament

• First four: March 18 to March 19th
• First round: March 20th to 21st
• Second round: 22nd to March 23rd
• Sweet 16: March 27th to 28th
• Elite eight: March 29 to 30
• Final Four: April 5th
• NCAA championship game: April 7th

Also read: Has ever lost a seed No. 1 in the first round? A look at the greatest March Madness -upsets of all time

Tournament

• First four: March 19th to 20th
• First round: March 21 to March 22nd
• Second round: March 23 to March 24th
• Sweet 16: 28th to March 29th
• Elite eight: March 30 to March 31st
• Final Four: April 4th
• NCAA championship game: April 6th

Where to watch

The selection Sunday show is broadcast live on CBS for the men's tournament and on ESPN for the women's tournament. For those who prefer streaming, the shows can be observed on the CBS Sports app, Paramount+and the ESPN app.

Selection Sunday is the ultimate March Madness Opener. It reveals the NCAA tournament clip and creates enthusiasm for the coming weeks of the basketball campaign. Regardless of whether you are a die -hard fan or just like to fill out a clip, don't miss it on this big day.

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