What day does 2016 NCAA basketball tournament (March Madness) start?

The first full day of the 2016 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is Thursday, March 17 – with coverage on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTVbeginning at noon.

The play-in games (aka the First Four) will be played on Tuesday,March 15 and Wednesday, March16 at the University of Dayton.

Here is the men’s schedule:

First Round: Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18

Second Round: Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20

Sweet 16: Thursday, March 24 and Friday, March 25

Elite 8: Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27

Final Four: Saturday, April 2

National Championship Game: Monday, April 4

Here is the women’s schedule:

First Round: Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19

Second Round: Sunday, March 20 and Monday, March 21

Sweet 16: Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26

Elite 8: Sunday, March 27 and Monday, March 28

Final Four: Sunday, April 3

National Championship game: Tuesday, April 5