March Madness is the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, where 68 college and university teams from across the United States go head-to-head in a knockout competition that unfolds over three thrilling weeks.
This year’s edition already looks wide open. As things stand, Michigan Wolverines and Duke Blue Devils are the betting odds frontrunners to win the National Championship, with Arizona Wildcats and Florida Gators not far behind.
Thanks to the rising global craze around the tournament, global streaming platform DAZN will be bringing this year’s March Madness action live for completely free in many countries outside the US, including the UK.
Read on to find out how to watch March Madness for free online from anywhere in the world.
How to watch March Madness for free
Basketball fans can watch March Madness free on DAZN in select regions 🌍🏀.
In the US, stream it on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV via YouTube TV (10-day free trial).
Abroad? Use a strong VPN like NordVPN (risk-free + free Amazon gift card) to access your usual stream 🔐.
Use a VPN to access March Madness for free from abroad
NordVPN is our best VPN (we actually have our own in-house expert, Mike, who tests VPNs 24/7 and he rates NordVPN top for price, features, security, etc).
We also find Nord works best for streaming – allowing you to access your domestic streaming services when abroad.
You can sign up in minutes and start watching March Madness for free…
Quick start: Using a VPN to watch March Madness free
Once you’ve signed up with your VPN:
1. Open the NordVPN app.
2. Connect to a server based in the UK, or another location where DAZN is streaming March Madness for free.
3. Sign up on DAZN (or, if you’re from the US, add CBS to your YouTube TV free trial).
4. Stream basketball madness at no cost.
How does March Madness work?
Some earn automatic spots by winning their conference tournaments, while others receive at-large selections chosen by the NCAA committee.
On Selection Sunday (March 15), the committee unveils the full bracket, revealing which teams have made the tournament and how they are seeded.
The competition then follows a knockout format, meaning one loss ends a team’s season.
It begins with the First Four, which trims the field from 68 teams to 64, before the main bracket unfolds through the first round, second round, Sweet 16, and Elite Eight.
The remaining four teams advance to the Final Four, with the winners facing off in the national championship game to decide the season’s champion.
2026 NCAA tournament schedule, dates
- First Four: March 17-18
- First round: March 19-20
- Second round: March 21-22
- Sweet 16: March 26-27
- Elite Eight: March 28-29
- Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
- NCAA championship game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
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