Where To Watch March Madness 2026 As Final Four Tips Off

The 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament reaches its climax this weekend with the Final Four, driving millions of fans to search for where to watch the games. The semifinals tip off Saturday, April 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with the national championship following Monday night.

CBS and TBS will alternate broadcasting rights for the Final Four, with Saturday's games airing on TBS and Monday's championship on CBS. All games will also stream live on the NCAA March Madness Live app and platforms like Paramount+, Max, and Hulu + Live TV.

This year's tournament has seen record viewership, with early-round games averaging 10.3 million viewers - up 12% from 2025. The surge comes as star players like Duke's Jason Harper and Gonzaga's Mateo Cruz have delivered breakout performances.

Fans without cable subscriptions can access games through streaming services. Sling TV's Orange package ($40/month) includes TBS, while YouTube TV ($73/month) carries both CBS and TBS. Paramount+ ($6/month) offers CBS coverage.

The Final Four matchups feature No. 1 seed Kansas against No. 4 Tennessee (6:09 PM ET) followed by No. 2 Duke versus No. 5 Gonzaga (8:49 PM ET). Ticket prices on secondary markets start at $380 for Saturday's games.

Mobile viewers should download the March Madness Live app, which provides live streams, real-time stats, and bracket tracking. The app has been downloaded over 5 million times during this year's tournament.

Local bars and restaurants across the country are preparing for packed crowds. Buffalo Wild Wings reported a 28% increase in March Madness-related reservations compared to last year. Many venues are offering special food and drink deals during games.

With three of the four remaining teams having NBA-ready talent, scouts from all 30 franchises are expected in Indianapolis. The championship game could set viewership records if Duke advances, given their national fan base.

For those unable to watch live, CBS Sports Network will air condensed replays of all Final Four games within two hours of their conclusion. The NCAA's YouTube channel also posts extended highlights.

This marks the first Final Four in Indianapolis since 2021, when the entire tournament was held in the city due to COVID-19 protocols. Local officials expect the event to generate over $100 million for the regional economy.