The Elite Eight is where March Madness legends are made. It’s the final hurdle before the Final Four, with teams battling for a spot on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Of course, it’s important to lock down your Elite Eight viewing plan ahead of time. That’s why we’ve gathered everything you need to know about watching this year’s NCAA regional finals on TV, whether it’s the men’s tournament on CBS Sports and TNT Sports or the women’s competition on ESPN channels.
Keep reading for our full Elite Eight watch guide, which explores channel listings, game times, and free viewing options.
What channel is the Elite 8 on?
For the 2026 Elite Eight basketball round, you can watch the men’s games on CBS and TBS. The women’s matchups air on ABC and ESPN.
Most of these channels are available on providers like DIRECTV and Xfinity. You can also subscribe to Paramount+ Premium to stream CBS Sports’ Elite Eight games, while higher-tier HBO Max has the TBS games.
Those who don’t want a TV provider for the women’s games can subscribe to ESPN Unlimited.
Want to watch more March Madness? Check out our Men’s March Madness TV Schedule and Women’s March Madness TV Schedule guides for a closer look at each tournament’s broadcast details.
2026 NCAA tournament Elite 8 TV schedule
What teams are in the Elite Eight? Following the Sweet 16 round, the men’s and women’s Elite Eight brackets are in.
Check out the tables below for this year’s Elite Eight basketball TV schedules. I’ll update the schedule as matchups get set.
Men’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight schedule
| Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 28 | TBD | Houston, TX | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday, March 28 | TBD | San Jose, CA | TBA | TBA |
| Sunday, March 29 | TBD | Chicago, IL | TBA | TBA |
| Sunday, March 29 | TBD | Washington, D.C. | TBA | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Women’s NCAA tournament Elite Eight schedule
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch NCAA basketball Elite Eight games for free
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You can watch Elite Eight games on ABC and CBS for free by using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. As long as you’re within range of a local ABC and CBS station, an antenna lets you tune in without any subscription fees—making it the best way to catch some of the tournament’s biggest matchups at no cost.
For streaming access, you can take advantage of free trials from live TV streaming services. DIRECTV is a top choice because it carries every Elite Eight channel in its five-day test drive. Other services like YouTube TV and Fubo also offer free trials, but remember to cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.
How to watch the Elite Eight FAQ
Who is in the Elite Eight?
As of this writing, the teams in the Elite Eight are not known. I will update this page when matchups are announced.
When does the Elite Eight start?
The Elite Eight men’s NCAA basketball games will start on Saturday, March 28. For women’s NCAA basketball, their Elite Eight games will begin on Sunday, March 29.
Where is the Elite Eight in 2026?
The men’s NCAA basketball Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be divided between the following venues:
- Toyota Center in Houston
- SAP Center in San Jose
- United Center in Chicago
- Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
- Dickies Arena in Fort Worth
- Golden 1 Center in Sacramento
Can I stream Elite Eight games?
Yes. You can stream men's NCAA Elite Eight games on services like Paramount+ and HBO Max. For the women's Elite Eight, you can stream with ESPN Unlimited.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com senior writer, Eric Chiu, analyzed this year’s NCAA March Madness schedule to break down Elite Eight dates, broadcast times, and more. He also cross-referenced this information with our existing streaming and TV deals coverage to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Amazon.com price as of 7/25/25 11:20 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
