Ayrton Oneill
The NCAA men's basketball National Championship game typically takes place on a Monday night in early April, bringing an end to the college basketball season and March Madness. The specific date varies each year, but the game usually starts at 9:20 p.m. ET, with TV coverage alternating between TBS and CBS. The NCAA women's basketball National Championship game also occurs around the same time, sometimes taking place on the preceding Sunday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, 8 April 2024 |
| Time | 9:20 p.m. ET |
| Location | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| Teams | UConn vs Purdue |
| Channel | TBS |
| Previous year's winners | Men's: UConn; Women's: South Carolina |
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What You'll Learn
NCAA championship game time
The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, also known as March Madness, is an annual college basketball tournament featuring 68 teams in a single-elimination championship played over three weeks. The tournament begins with the First Four, followed by the First Round or Round of 64, and continues through the Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final Four rounds before culminating in the National Championship game.
The National Championship game for the 2026 March Madness tournament will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. This will be the culmination of the 2026 tournament, which begins with the First Four on March 18 and 19 and the First Round on March 20.
The NCAA tournament is broadcast by CBS Sports and Turner Sports across various television channels and digital platforms, including TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV, and March Madness Live. The official NCAA Men's Final Four App also provides fans with easy access to the full tournament schedule and related information.
The NCAA championship game time for 2026 is yet to be announced, but as a reference, the 2024 NCAA National Championship game between UConn and Purdue took place on Monday at 9:20 p.m. ET/6:20 p.m. PT at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
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UConn vs Purdue
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's Basketball National Championship takes place in April.
The 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game saw the UConn Huskies face off against the Purdue Boilermakers. UConn claimed its sixth national championship in program history, defeating Purdue 75-60. This was UConn's second title in a row and marked the culmination of one of the most dominant NCAA tournament runs of all time.
UConn and Purdue are two of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. UConn has won six national championships (2014, 2023, and 2024) and four women's titles. Purdue, meanwhile, has appeared in two previous national championship games but has yet to win its first title.
In the lead-up to the 2024 championship game, there was much debate among fans and analysts about which team was truly the best. Some argued that Purdue, ranked #2, was ahead of UConn in every metric except for the number of first-place votes. Purdue had stronger wins and fewer losses, with their two road losses being considered less severe than UConn's loss to Seton Hall. However, UConn fans pointed to their team's dominant winning streak, including a remarkable run through March Madness, as evidence of their superiority.
Ultimately, UConn's victory in the championship game settled the debate for that year, capping off an unforgettable March Madness and solidifying their place as one of the greatest college basketball dynasties.
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Championship game location
The location of the National Championship game for NCAA Division I Men's Basketball, also known as March Madness, varies each year. The 2026 championship game will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 6, with the National Semifinals taking place on April 4. The stadium, which has a capacity of over 70,000 people, has previously hosted the Super Bowl in 2012. Indianapolis is no stranger to college basketball, having hosted the NCAA Final Four eight times before in 1980, 1991, 1997, 2000, 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2021.
The 2025 National Championship game was held in San Antonio, Texas, on April 7. The game saw Florida beat Houston with a final score of 65-63.
In 2024, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship game was held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game was between UConn and Purdue, with UConn potentially achieving a back-to-back run of titles and Purdue aiming for its first championship.
The NCAA Men's Final Four is a highly anticipated event, drawing crowds of 150,000 people and igniting excitement among college basketball fans across the nation. The first college basketball tournament in America was held in Evanston, Illinois, in 1939, marking the birthplace of tournament-style basketball championships.
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Championship game channels
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is one of the most popular annual sporting events in the United States. The tournament features 68 teams and culminates in the Final Four and the National Championship game.
The championship game is the pinnacle of the tournament, with the winning team being crowned the national champions. The game is highly anticipated by fans and the media, with extensive coverage across various channels and platforms.
For viewers interested in watching the game, there are several official channels and platforms to tune into. CBS Sports and Turner Sports have the broadcasting rights for the tournament and offer comprehensive coverage across multiple channels and digital platforms. The championship game is typically aired on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. These channels are widely available on cable and satellite television packages, providing easy access to viewers across the country.
In addition to traditional television, the rise of digital streaming has expanded the viewing options for fans. The March Madness Live app offers a dedicated platform to watch every game, including the championship, on mobile devices and streaming media players. For subscribers to specific services, additional options are available. Paramount+ subscribers can watch all CBS-televised games, while Max subscribers can access the games on TBS, TNT, and truTV. These streaming alternatives provide convenient and flexible ways for fans to follow the action, especially for those who prefer to watch on-the-go or without a traditional television setup.
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Championship game scores
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament that determines the champion of Division I, the highest level of play in the NCAA. The winner is often described by the media as the national champion of college basketball.
The NCAA tournament has been held annually since 1939, except in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first NCAA tournament was organised by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, with Oregon defeating Ohio State 46-33 in the championship game.
UCLA has been the most successful college in the NCAA Tournament, winning 11 national titles. Ten of those championships came during a 12-year stretch from 1964 to 1975. UCLA also holds the record for the most consecutive championships, winning seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.
In recent years, the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship game saw UConn and Purdue clash, with UConn possibly achieving a back-to-back run of titles. The 2026 championship game was held on April 7 in San Antonio, with Florida edging out Houston 65-63.
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Frequently asked questions
The NCAA basketball national championship game is played on a Monday.
The game usually starts at 9:20 p.m. ET.
The location of the NCAA basketball national championship game varies. In 2025, it was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. In 2024, it was played at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
In 2025, the Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars to win the national championship. In 2024, UConn defeated Purdue in the national championship game.
