From the nail-biting drama of the First Four to the net-cutting glory of the Final Four, nothing matches the high-stakes adrenaline of the NCAA Tournament. Whether you’re hunting for the next double-digit seed to bust a bracket or backing a powerhouse to run the gauntlet, this is where legends are made and fortunes flip on a single buzzer-beater.
Get the latest tournament news, betting odds, and expert insight ahead of this year's tournament.
March Madness 2027 schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Selection Sunday | March 14 |
| First Four | March 16-17 |
| First Round | March 18-19 |
| Second Round | March 20-21 |
| Sweet 16 | March 25-26 |
| Elite Eight | March 27-28 |
| Final Four | April 3 |
| National Championship Game | April 5 |
March Madness odds
One of the most popular ways to bet on March Madness is to pick which team will win. From favorites to long shots, bracket sleepers follow the tournament odds all season long.
| Team |  |
|---|---|
 Duke Blue Devils |
+750 |
 Michigan Wolverines |
+1000 |
 Florida Gators |
+1200 |
 Arizona Wildcats |
+1400 |
 Michigan State Spartans |
+1400 |
 Connecticut Huskies |
+1600 |
 Houston Cougars |
+1600 |
 Kansas Jayhawks |
+1600 |
 Arkansas Razorbacks |
+1800 |
 Illinois Fighting Illini |
+2000 |
Odds from bet365, one of our best betting apps. Sign up with our bet365 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.
All things bracket
March Madness revolves around the bracket, and we've got you covered from all angles:
- Tournament Bracket Starting on Selection Sunday
- Tips for filling out your bracket
- The best free bracket contests
March Madness props
Prop betting is becoming increasingly popular as regulated sports betting expands throughout the US. We're excited about the variety of March Madness props that will be offered, and we can't wait to cash in on the First-to-5 prop!
Tournament MVP
Betting on the most outstanding player of the NCAA Tournament is a relatively new futures market that is gaining popularity each year due to the big plus-money odds available on pretty much every player.
March Madness picks
With so many games and so many betting markets available, there are always value picks to be found. March Madness features 67 games, and Covers’ betting analysts will deliver a plethora of March Madness picks, full of smart betting options for you to consider.
Best Bonuses
Along with our best March Madness betting sites, check out the best March Madness bonuses available for the tournament.
March Madness trends
As you build your bracket and handicap tournament games, you'll hear about many trends. Some of these are legit, and others should be dismissed. Jason Logan breaks down some of the March Madness trends, with three you can trust and three you should avoid.
March Madness upsets
A big upset in the early rounds is a staple of March Madness. And there is no better feeling than holding a ticket on a massive underdog and then watching as it cashes in. That's why we've put together a dedicated March Madness upsets page, with the Top 10 betting upsets this century and tips on how to spot an upset before it happens.
March Madness for beginners
New to March Madness betting? We've got you covered. Learn how to bet on March Madness with our beginner's guide, and then dig deeper with intermediate and advanced strategies so that you're making the smartest bets possible.
March Madness betting sites
March Madness is one of the most popular times of the year for sports bettors, making it one of the busiest times of the year for online sportsbooks. Every betting site will offer March Madness odds, but the top sites are safe and secure, offer a wide range of banking options, and give you a ton of markets for each game. Check out the best March Madness betting sites in your region.
Past March Madness winners
| Season | National Champion | Odds prior to Round 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Michigan Wolverines |
+325 |
| 2024-25 |  Florida Gators |
+800 |
| 2023-24 | Connecticut Huskies |
+350 |
| 2022-23 | Connecticut Huskies |
+2000 |
| 2021-22 | Kansas Jayhawks |
+900 |
| 2020-21 |  Baylor Bears |
+500 |
| 2019-20 | Tournament cancelled | N/A |
| 2018-19 |  Virginia Cavaliers |
+675 |
| 2017-18 |  Villanova Wildcats |
+570 |
| 2016-17 |  North Carolina Tar Heels |
+535 |
| 2015-16 | Villanova Wildcats |
+1500 |
| 2014-15 |  Duke Blue Devils |
+1000 |
| 2013-14 | Connecticut Huskies |
+9500 |
| 2012-13 |  Louisville Cardinals |
+450 |
| 2011-12 |  Kentucky Wildcats |
+185 |
| 2010-11 | Connecticut Huskies |
+2500 |
| 2009-10 | Duke Blue Devils |
+650 |
| 2008-09 | North Carolina Tar Heels |
+400 |
| 2007-08 | Kansas Jayhawks |
+700 |
| 2006-07 | Florida Gators |
+400 |
| 2005-06 | Florida Gators |
+2000 |
| 2004-05 | North Carolina Tar Heels |
+350 |
| 2003-04 | Connecticut Huskies |
+450 |
| 2002-03 |  Syracuse Orange |
+1800 |
| 2001-02 |  Maryland Terrapins |
+350 |
| 2000-01 | Duke Blue Devils |
+250 |
March Madness betting FAQs
Yes, as long as sports betting is legal in your region.
March Madness begins with Selection Sunday on March 14 and ended withe NCAA Championship on April 5, 2027.
March Madness 2027 games will be held in arenas across the U.S. including Dayton, Pittsburgh, Omaha, Fort Worth, Spokane, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Louisville, Sacramento, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and New York City. The Final Four and National Championship Game will be held in Detroit.
The Michigan Wolverines won the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
