Selection Sunday is locked in for March 15 US time (March 16 AEST), the bracket drops two weeks from now, and the championship game tips off at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 7 AEST (Monday).

March Madness is college basketball's single-elimination tournament, and it's one of the wildest betting events on the sporting calendar. 68 teams. Win or go home. The kind of format that produces upsets at a rate that would make any AFL finals series blush.

For punters in Australia, this guide covers the full 2026 schedule converted to AEST, a breakdown of the current championship favourites, and practical betting tips to sharpen your approach.

For a deeper dive into how the tournament format actually works, brackets, seedings, and all the structural stuff, keep an eye out for our dedicated March Madness betting guide. If you're also interested in how to bet on the NBA, we've got you covered there too.

2026 March Madness Schedule (AEST)

March Madness games tip off during the US evening, which lands in the early morning hours for Australian viewers. Most games fall between roughly 4am and 2pm AEST, depending on the round.

• Selection Sunday: Monday, March 16 AEST (bracket reveal, 10:00am AEST)
• First Four: Wednesday-Thursday, March 18-19 AEST (UD Arena, Dayton, Ohio)
• Round of 64: Friday-Saturday, March 20-21 AEST (8 host cities)
• Round of 32: Sunday-Monday, March 22-23 AEST
• Sweet 16: Friday-Saturday, March 27-28 AEST (Houston, San Jose, Chicago, Washington D.C.)
• Elite Eight: Sunday-Monday, March 29-30 AEST
• Final Four Semifinals: Sunday, April 5 AEST at 10:00am and 12:30pm AEST (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)
• National Championship: Monday, April 7 AEST at 12:30pm AEST (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)

The championship game is expected to tip off around 8:30pm ET on April 6 in the US, which translates to approximately 12:30pm AEST on April 7. That's a rare daytime slot for Aussie viewers, one of the few games you can watch without setting an alarm.

2026 March Madness Championship Favourites

The futures market has been volatile all season, but heading into March, three teams have separated themselves from the pack.

Michigan, Duke, and Arizona account for around a third of all championship handles at major sportsbooks, internationally.

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan has been the story of the college basketball season. The Wolverines opened at No. 7 in the preseason AP poll and have blown past expectations, posting a 27-2 record that sits atop KenPom and the NCAA's NET rankings. They crushed Gonzaga by 40, Auburn by 30, and San Diego State by 40 during the early-season Players Era Championship.

Their only real stumble came in a neutral-site loss to Duke (68-63), but that hasn't dented confidence much. Coach Dusty May has built a squad with genuine size, depth, and experience. Yaxel Lendeborg has been the standout performer, averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Michigan has handled ranked opponents well and looks the most complete team heading into the tournament.

Duke Blue Devils

Duke has made the biggest odds movement of any team in recent weeks. After their win over Michigan, the Blue Devils surged from around 8.00 to the 4.50 range, and they've climbed to No. 1 in the AP poll.Freshman Cameron Boozer is the player to watch, not just in March but as a projected top NBA Draft pick, averaging 22.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Duke has tournament experience from recent years, so pedigree isn't a concern. Jon Scheyer's team still has regular-season games against Virginia and North Carolina to navigate, but the talent on this roster is undeniable. If Boozer stays healthy and hot, Duke is a legitimate title threat.

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona started the season with 23 consecutive wins and looked untouchable for a stretch. Back-to-back losses to Kansas and Texas Tech knocked them off the top of the odds board, but three straight victories since, including a road win over No. 2 Houston, have steadied things. The Wildcats sit at 27-2 and No. 2 in the AP poll. The elephant in the room for Arizona punters is tournament history. Tommy Lloyd's teams have reached the Sweet 16 in three of four tournaments but haven't advanced to the Elite Eight under his coaching. This squad, led by Brayden Burries (15.7 points per game) and Jaden Bradley (12.1 points, 3.7 assists per game), might finally have the firepower to push deeper. Their non-conference wins over Florida, UCLA, UConn, Auburn, and Alabama show they can handle elite competition.

Houston Cougars

Houston's odds have drifted after a rough three-game stretch that included losses to Iowa State, Kansas, and Arizona. That said, Kelvin Sampson's teams have a habit of peaking in March.

The Cougars reached last year's national championship game and have the defensive identity to grind through a tough bracket. Kingston Flemings (16.4 ppg) and Emanuel Sharp (15.8 ppg) provide solid scoring punch.

Other Contenders Worth Watching

Florida are the defending champions and have hit form at the right time, riding an eight-game win streak into March. They're battle-tested and know what it takes to win the tournament, but losing key pieces from last year's squad makes a repeat a tall order.

Illinois have been quietly impressive, sitting in the top 20 on KenPom in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Iowa State went 2-0 at the Players Era Festival and are dominant at home. UConn won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, so writing them off in a tournament setting is always risky.

For the deep value hunters, Kansas have surged after a signature win over previously unbeaten Arizona. With Flory Bidunga (13.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks per game) healthy and firing, they could be a dangerous bracket buster.

March Madness Betting Tips

March Madness is a unique beast for basketball betting. Single elimination means one bad half can knock out a heavy favourite, which is exactly why the tournament produces more upsets than almost any other event in world sport. That dynamic creates both opportunity and risk.

No. 1 Seeds Win About 64% of the Time

Since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, a No. 1 seed has won the championship roughly 64% of the time. That's a strong historical lean, but it also means more than one in three years, a lower seed gets the job done.

The outright winner market tends to price the top seeds tightly, so looking at No. 2 and No. 3 seeds at longer odds can offer better value when you factor in the tournament's chaotic nature.

Conference Tournament Results Matter

The conference tournaments run from early to mid-March, right before Selection Sunday. Teams that win their conference tourney often carry momentum into the NCAA Tournament, while teams that lose early sometimes come in flat.

Pay attention to how the big contenders navigate those games, especially in loaded conferences like the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 this season.

Don't Sleep on the Bracket Draw

The bracket itself massively impacts outright betting value. A team might be the third favourite overall but end up in the easiest region of the bracket. Wait for Selection Sunday before locking in your outright bets. Once you can see the actual path each team needs to take, you'll spot where the odds haven't fully adjusted to bracket difficulty.

Back-to-Back Champions Are Extremely Rare

Only eight programs have won back-to-back championships in NCAA history, with some doing it multiple times. The last team to do it was UConn in 2023-24, and before that, Florida in 2006-07.

Florida won the championship in 2025, and while they're playing well, the historical odds are stacked against back-to-back runs. That doesn't mean rule them out entirely, but be cautious about backing a defending champion at short odds.

March Madness 2026 FAQ

When does March Madness 2026 start?

Selection Sunday is March 15 US time (March 16 AEST). The First Four games begin March 17 US time (March 18 AEST), and the full 64-team bracket kicks off March 19 US time (March 20 AEST).

When is the 2026 March Madness championship game in Australian time?

The national championship is scheduled for April 6 in the US (approximately 12:30pm AEST on Monday, April 7) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Who is the favourite to win March Madness 2026?

As of early March 2026, Michigan leads the futures market at approximately 4.25–4.80 in decimal odds, followed closely by Duke (4.50–5.25) and Arizona (5.00–5.25). These three teams account for the majority of championship handle.

Can I watch March Madness in Australia?

March Madness coverage in Australia is typically available through ESPN's international channels on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. The US-based March Madness Live streaming service is geo-restricted and unavailable in Australia. For more on how to watch NBA in Australia, check out our streaming guide.

Who won March Madness in 2025?

The Florida Gators won the 2025 NCAA Tournament, defeating Houston 65-63 in the national championship game.

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