Kristian Ferrell
The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, commonly known as March Madness, is an annual basketball tournament held in the United States. The tournament features 68 teams in a single-elimination format, with the final four teams advancing to the National Semifinals, also known as the Final Four. The Final Four typically takes place in late March or early April, with the 2025 tournament scheduled for April 4-5. The tournament is known for its excitement and unpredictability, with a mix of Cinderella teams and powerhouse programs vying for the championship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, April 4, 2025 (women's games) and Saturday, April 5, 2025 (men's games) |
| Location | Amalie Arena, Tampa (women's games) and Alamodome, San Antonio (men's games) |
| Teams | Auburn, Florida, Duke, Houston |
| Broadcast | CBS (men's games), ESPN (women's games), TuneIn Premium, SiriusXM |
| Previous Locations | University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio (2001) |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 Final Four tournament
The Final Four is one of the most exciting parts of March Madness, with a guaranteed lineup of great games. Whether it's a Cinderella team defying the odds or a powerhouse program pushing for the title, the tournament never fails to deliver drama and excitement. This year's tournament will be hosted by CBS for the men's games and ESPN for the women's games, with the men's and women's tournaments alternating between the two networks each year.
The Final Four tournament has exclusively been played in large indoor football stadiums since 1996, making it unlikely that a team will ever again play on their home court. The last time this happened was in 1996 when the Continental Airlines Arena, home court of Seton Hall, hosted the tournament. The large stadiums create an electric atmosphere, with passionate fans from all over the country converging to cheer on their favorite teams.
This year's tournament features some highly anticipated matchups, with all four No. 1 seeds making it to the Final Four. In the women's tournament, the top seeds will battle it out in a series of intense games, showcasing the best of women's college basketball. The men's tournament is also stacked with talented teams, including Auburn, Florida, Duke, and Houston, who will all be vying for the championship title.
With the stage set and the teams ready to give it their all, the 2025 Final Four tournament is shaping up to be an unforgettable sporting event. Fans across the country will be tuning in to catch all the action, cheering for their favorite players and teams, and experiencing the highs and lows of March Madness together.
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The Final Four's location and venues
The Final Four is the pinnacle of the NCAA basketball tournament, and the venues for this eagerly anticipated event are carefully selected. The 2025 March Madness Final Four will be hosted in San Antonio, Texas, with the women's games taking place at the Amalie Arena, home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, and the men's games at the Alamodome.
The Final Four has exclusively been played in large indoor football stadiums since 1996, when it was hosted at the Continental Airlines Arena, the home court of Seton Hall. This was the last time a team played on their home court. The large stadiums provide a fitting stage for the climax of the tournament, with thousands of fans in attendance.
The host cities and venues are chosen based on several factors, including the availability of suitable indoor stadiums, the ability to accommodate large crowds, and the potential impact on the local economy. San Antonio, for example, has a rich basketball history and a passionate fan base, making it an ideal location for the Final Four.
The venues are prepared well in advance, with the NCAA working closely with local organisers to ensure the best possible experience for players and spectators alike. The courts are carefully prepared, and the latest technology is utilised to enhance the viewing experience, with giant screens, sophisticated lighting, and state-of-the-art scoreboards.
The Final Four venues become a hub of basketball fever, with fans flocking to the host cities to be a part of the excitement. The atmosphere is electric, with the buzz of anticipation filling the air as the teams battle it out on the court, knowing that only one will be crowned champion. The host cities embrace the event, showcasing their unique culture and hospitality, adding to the allure of the Final Four experience.
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Previous Final Four tournaments
The Final Four is the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament. The final four teams compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round. The two teams that win in the semi-final round play another single-elimination game, and the winner is the tournament champion. In some tournaments, the two teams that lose in the semi-final round compete for third place in a consolation game.
The term "Final Four" was believed to have first appeared in print in a 1975 article for the 'Official Collegiate Basketball Guide', written by sportswriter Ed Chay for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. However, this is refuted by the fact that the term was in widespread use in descriptions of the NCAA basketball tournament by the 1960s. For example, in 1966, Bill Mayer of the Kansas-based Lawrence Daily Journal World wrote, "What a great year it could be if ... KU ... could advance to the NCAA Final Four by winning the regional here." The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) later trademarked the term.
The Final Four of the men's Division I tournament is traditionally held on a Saturday, while the Final Four of the women's Division I tournament is usually played on a Friday. The NCAA also uses the term "Final Four" for other sports besides basketball, such as men's and women's volleyball championships. The term is also used in ice hockey tournaments, where the NCAA uses the variation "Frozen Four".
Since 1939, 95 schools have appeared in the Final Four. Four additional schools, Minnesota, Saint Joseph's, UMass, and Western Kentucky, had their only appearance vacated.
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How to watch the Final Four
The Final Four is one of the most exciting parts of the NCAA basketball season. This year, the women's games will be held on Friday, April 4, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, and the men's doubleheader will take place on Saturday, April 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
To watch the women's Final Four, tune in to ESPN, as the channel airs the games each season. As for the men's Final Four, it alternates between CBS and TBS each year, and 2025 is a CBS year.
If you're unable to watch the games on TV, you can listen to live radio coverage of the men's games on TuneIn Premium for $9.99 a month, thanks to the Westwood One radio network. Both men's and women's tournament games are also available on SiriusXM.
You can also download the Official NCAA Men's Final Four App presented by AT&T to have the full schedule in your pocket.
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Final Four teams and players
The Final Four is the name given to the National Semifinals of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The name was first used in the 1980s, and the tournament has been going on since 1939. The 2025 Final Four will take place in San Antonio, Texas, and will feature four No. 1 seeds: Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida.
Auburn is the top seed in the tournament, led by star player Johni Broome, who is considered a Player of the Year candidate. Despite briefly leaving a game against Michigan State with an apparent arm injury, Broome still put up impressive numbers, scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Auburn also features a graduate student and four seniors in their starting lineup.
Duke, meanwhile, starts several freshmen, including Cooper Flagg, who is also a Player of the Year candidate. Their youth has not stopped them from being a dominant force, with a record of 60-2 since December 1.
Houston has a more experienced lineup, starting two graduate students and a fourth-year junior. Their defence is a particular strength, and they will look to slow down Duke's high-powered offence.
Florida rounds out the Final Four, with their top three scorers being two seniors and a graduate student. They earned their spot in the Final Four with a late rally against Texas Tech.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2025 Final Four basketball tournament started on Friday, April 4, with the women's games held back-to-back at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, and the men's doubleheader taking place on Saturday, April 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The men's Final Four alternates between CBS and TBS each year, with 2025 being a CBS year. The women's Final Four is on ESPN each season.
You can stream live men’s coverage on TuneIn Premium for $9.99 a month, courtesy of the Westwood One radio network. Both men’s and women’s tournament games are also available on SiriusXM.
