How to watch March Madness 2026: free NCAA basketball live streams, TV channels | Tech Radar

Overview

How to watch March Madness 2026: free NCAA basketball live streams, TV channels, Selection and First Four

Let the bracket mayhem begin with the hunt for this year's NCAA men's national basketball champion

Details

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Watch March Madness 2026 live streams as 68 schools battle it out over the course of 67 games in 21 days to determine this year's NCAA national champion. Below we have all the info on how to watch college basketball from anywhere in the world with details on worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and free streaming online.

Having started all the way back in November, the long college basketball season is set to come to its fast and furious climax. The beginning of the end kicks off with Selection Sunday (March 15) where the all-important brackets are decided, followed by the First Four round (March 17 & 18) in which a quartet of colleges play for the right to join the Big Dance.

After battling out a thrilling championship game this time last year, the Houston Cougars and champs Florida Gators are likely to fancy their chances of a strong run again. While the Duke Blue Devils, Arizona Wildcats and Michigan Wolverines all come into March Madness with imposing 29-2 records. And the tournament also provides a showcase for some of college ball's hottest talent and NBA prospects, like Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Caleb Wilson.

Here's where to stream March Madness 2026 live online and watch college basketball from anywhere, including ways you can watch every game for free.

DAZN has struck a deal with the NCAA to broadcast every single game of March Madness 2026 for FREE in a wide range of countries.

The territories covered include the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, UAE, and more. You can see the full list here.

Away from your home country but still want to watch those free DAZN streams? You'll need to use a VPN, with details on how below.

Use a VPN to watch any March Madness 2026 stream

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How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in the US

National coverage of March Madness 2026 is shared between CBS (also streaming on Paramount+) and TBS, TNT, and tru TV (also streaming on HBO Max). You can see the split in our 'Schedule' section at the bottom of this page.

If you're a cord cutter, Sling TV's Orange plan carries TNT and TBS and prices start from as low as

HBO Max prices start at $16.99 for the standard plan which is required for live sport.

Cable subscribers can also watch online via the March Madness Live app, available on a multitude of platforms.

How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in Canada

In Canada, coverage of March Madness 2026 from the US is shown by TSN.

That means you can also watch online thanks to its TSN+ (

How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in the UK for FREE

As explained above, specialist sports streamer DAZN has the rights to show March Madness 2026 in the UK.

What's more, it will do so for FREE. You just need to create a free account in order to stream every single game for free.

Alternatively, Disney+ will broadcast every game from the tournament with prices starting at just £5.99/month.

Outside the UK? You’ll need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to watch your free college basketball streams from abroad.

How to watch March Madness 2026 live streams in Australia

Aussies can watch NCAA March Madness 2026 on Disney+, which now streams the tournament live in Australia as part of its ESPN coverage.

Games are also available on ESPN via Foxtel, which can be live streamed through Foxtel Now.

Not in Australia? Use Norton VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your usual college basketball coverage from anywhere.

Selection Sunday March 15 – CBS/Paramount+ (Free on DAZN in UK)

First Four March 17-18 – tru TV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

First Round March 19-20 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/tru TV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

Second Round March 21-22 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/tru TV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

Sweet Sixteen March 26-27 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/tru TV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

Elite 8 March 28-29 – CBS/Paramount+ & TBS/tru TV/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

Final Four April 4 – TBS/tru TV/TNT/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

National Championship Game April 6 – TBS/tru TV/TNT/HBO Max (Free on DAZN in UK)

Following Selection Sunday on March 15, the March Madness 2026 action gets underway on Tuesday, March 17 with the First Four round. The championship game set to take place on Monday, April 6.

The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser – for example, March Madness Live, Paramount+ and HBO Max in the US and DAZN in the UK.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Adam was formerly the Content Director of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversaw many of the articles Tech Radar produces about antivirus software, VPN, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews. Adam has now dusted off his keyboard to write articles for the likes of Tech Radar, T3 and Tom's Guide.

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Key Takeaways

• How to watch March Madness 2026: free NCAA basketball live streams, TV channels, Selection and First Four

• Let the bracket mayhem begin with the hunt for this year's NCAA men's national basketball champion

• When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

• Watch March Madness 2026 live streams as 68 schools battle it out over the course of 67 games in 21 days to determine this year's NCAA national champion

• Having started all the way back in November, the long college basketball season is set to come to its fast and furious climax